Effects of ultrasound-guided techniques for radial arterial catheterization: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate whether ultrasound-guided techniques are superior compared to traditional palpation techniques in patients undergoing radial artery catheterization (RAC).

Methods: Electronic databases of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The relative risks (RRs) or weighted mean differences (WMDs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to calculate the pooled effect estimates using the random effects model for categories and continuous data, respectively.

Results: A total of 19 RCTs comprising a total of 3220 individuals were selected for final analysis. The pooled RR suggested that ultrasound-guided techniques were associated with higher incidence of first attempt success than traditional palpation techniques (RR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.21-1.59; P < 0.001). Moreover, we noted that ultrasound-guided techniques were associated with fewer mean attempts to success (WMD, -0.80 s; 95% CI, -1.35 to -0.25; P = 0.004) and a shorter mean time to success (WMD, -41.18 s; 95% CI, -75.43 to -6.93; P = 0.018) than traditional palpation techniques. Furthermore, individuals using ultrasound-guided techniques had a reduced risk of hematoma (RR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.22-0.72; P = 0.003).

Conclusions: This study indicated that ultrasound-guided techniques were superior compared to traditional palpation techniques for RAC in terms of efficacy and complications.