So I finally got to an A-line today. Unfortunately, I picked the one patient who had a heart rate of approximately 130 bpm, and whom had been in hospital for 78 days and had a multitude if lines in him already. He did have an A-line in his brachial, but this kinked and needed to be changed.
So after chatting with an ST2 and reading technique in a book, I tried my first attempt, then second attempt at cannulating the left radial artery. Bugger me, I just couldn’t do it, though I think I managed to cannulate a vein. The ST2 tried the right radial artery, and he failed too.
Hopefully next weekend when I’m on-call, I’ll get the opportunity to do another one or two, and possibly try a central line, or hopefully intubate in theatre.
Once I get more proficient with these skills, my interest and enjoyment in ITU should hopefully increase.
