A Novel Technique to Maintain Radial Arterial Catheter Position: The Arterial Catheter Stabilizer

Despite widespread use of arterial catheters, there is remarkably little described about their stabilization in the literature. A brief review of arterial catheterization techniques is included. The fixation techniques described in the literature and in commercial product information are essentially to tape or suture the arterial catheter flat against the skin. Often the wrist is immobilized in the dorsiflexed position to prevent kinking or dislodging of the catheter. We describe a simple device made from a gauze pad and tape to elevate and protect the arterial line while minimizing its kinking during wrist flexion.