Arterial Line question???

[BadgerCCU]

I recently had a pt. in the CCU with a Tandem Heart PVAD and just came back from having a ventricular ablation. The PVAD was in his right groin, both lines, and there were two venous and one arterial sheath in his left groin. He was dropping his H/H and the PVAD was starting to chug a bit, so we needed to give fluids and blood. I was running out of line space and was curious if his arterial sheath in the groin could be a viable spot to run the blood though, however, no one on the unit knew, and I have been having a hard time finding out an answer online to such a specific question. I understand that infusing drug or other fluids into a radial line can damage vessels easily, but simply running blood through an artery with such a high flow rate should be OK, but I just don't know. What are your thoughts? Thanks!!

[resumecpr]

I would first get a MD order, and a pressure bag.

[Da_Milk_of_Amnesia, MSN]

I wouldn't infuse anything into a A-line unless i had an MD order, and you need to make sure that there are NO air bubbles.

[Biffbradford]

I don't think you have to worry about fluid rate, but how much pressure are you going to have to apply to get it in? Would an IV pump be able to push that much pressure without alarming? No, you can't infuse into an arterial line. If you can't stop something else for a short time (TPN?) to free up a line, stick in a peripheral IV!

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

I would also check to see if anything you are running is compatible and run them together to free up another line.

[tahoe77]

This is a great question. you would definitely need an arterial

pump. I think it is doable, just need an arterial pump.

Art pump has greater pressure for infusion.