Popliteal artery cannulation as a saviour during prone positioning

Area of Science:

• Vascular access and critical care medicine

Background:

• Peripheral arterial cannulation is essential for invasive blood pressure monitoring and arterial blood gas sampling.
• The radial artery is the preferred site, but displacement can occur during position changes or prone ventilation.

Observation:

• Arterial cannula displacement is a common challenge in critically ill patients, particularly those in lateral or prone positions.
• Reinsertion can be difficult in these positions, necessitating alternative cannulation strategies.

Findings:

• This case report details the successful cannulation of the popliteal artery in a patient positioned prone.
• The popliteal artery served as a feasible alternative site for arterial access.

Implications:

• Popliteal artery cannulation may be a valuable alternative when radial artery access is compromised.
• This technique can ensure continuous hemodynamic monitoring and facilitate necessary blood sampling in challenging patient positions.