Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026
Brachial Artery Catheterization in Swine
Published on: March 30, 2019
[Comparative study of radial and cubital arterial catheterization]
L C García-Fages1, C Gomar Sancho, A Villalonga
1Servicio de Anestesiología-Reanimación. Hospital Clínic i Provincial Barcelona.
Insights
Cubital artery catheterization is a viable alternative to radial artery catheterization in surgical patients. However, higher failure rates and technical difficulties were noted, linked to pulse palpation.
Area of Science:
- Vascular access procedures
- Surgical patient management
Background:
- Radial artery catheterization is standard for arterial access.
- Evaluating alternative sites like the cubital artery is important for improving patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy and safety of cubital artery catheterization versus radial artery catheterization.
- To identify factors influencing the success of cubital artery catheterization.
Main Methods:
- Prospective randomized study involving 76 surgical patients.
- Patients were allocated to either cubital or radial artery catheterization groups.
- Data collected on failure rates, technical difficulties, procedure time, catheter stability, and complications.
Main Results:
- Cubital artery catheterization showed significantly higher failure rates (p<0.001) and technical difficulties (p<0.05) compared to radial artery catheterization.
- These difficulties were associated with cubital pulse palpation.
- No significant differences were observed in procedure time, catheter stability, or complication incidence between the groups.
- Patient factors like blood pressure and anatomy did not affect outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Cubital artery catheterization can be a suitable alternative to radial artery catheterization when the cubital pulse is adequately palpable.
- Careful assessment of pulse palpation is crucial for successful cubital artery cannulation.
Abstract:
In this prospective study we evaluated catheterization of the cubital artery as an alternative to cannulation of the radial artery. Seventy six surgical patients were randomly allocated into two groups of 38 patients according to the intention to catheterize the cubital or the radial artery. The incidence of failure and the technical difficulties were significantly higher in cubital than in radial arterial catheterization (p less than 0.001 and p less than 0.05, respectively) and they were related to the cubital pulse palpation. There were no significant differences in the time elapsed to achieve the catheterization, time of stability of the catheter, nor in the incidence of complications. The qualification of the technician, the arterial blood pressure and the anatomic characteristics of the forearm did not influence the results. We conclude that whenever the cubital arterial pulse is appropriately perceived, catheterization of this artery is a good alternative to radial catheterization.
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