About the Procedure
This is a Video in Clinical Medicine from the New England Journal of Medicine. Arterial Puncture for Blood Gas Analysis Overview Radial arterial puncture for arterial blood gas analysis is a common procedure performed in medicine. It is a fundamental skill that all medical trainees need to acquire. This video will review radial arterial puncture in the adult population. Indications Puncture of the radial artery is the preferred method of obtaining an arterial blood sample for blood gas analysis. The chief indication for measurement of arterial blood gas level is to obtain values for the partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide and for arterial pH. This information is needed when assessing a patient with acute, . . .