Indicators for Identifying an Unintentional Intra-Arterial Drug Infusion

Sen et al listed findings that may indicate that a patient is receiving an intra-arterial drug infusion. The authors are from the Mayo Clinic.

Indicators for having entered an artery:

(1) backflow of bright red blood into the line

(2) pulsatile movements of blood or fluid in the tubing

(3) variation in pressure readings if a pressure transducer is attached to the catheter

(4) backflow of blood into the IV tubing when the IV infusion bag is held above the level of the catheter insertion site

Indicators for having entered an artery above an intraarterial catheter:

(1) change in intraarterial pressure readings when intravenous fluid is pushed through the catheter

Indicators of infusing through an intraarterial catheter:

(1) tracing the infusion line to an intraarterial catheter

Limitations:

• A single drug administration may go unrecognized.

• A critically ill patient in shock with hypoxia may be difficult to identify.

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