Reasoning against pushing meds through a-line?

[mummer43, BSN, RN]

I know you aren't supposed to do it, but what is the reasoning behind not pushing meds through an a-line?

[SkateBetty]

Arteries are anatomically different than veins, and have a layer of muscle. They are more likely to spasm when drugs are administered into them, which can cause tissue necrosis.

[mummer43, BSN, RN]

Arteries are anatomically different than veins, and have a layer of muscle. They are more likely to spasm when drugs are administered into them, which can cause tissue necrosis.

Ok, thanks!

[SkateBetty]

Also, arteries are end-points, and meds are more likely to sit there, locally, causing ischemia, before they are finally taken back up through capillaries and distributed centrally where they are needed.

[TLCinCICU]

The reason is simply anatomic. Arteries flow outward from the heart. Vein flow toward it. You get systemic distribution of the drug using a vein. Using an a-line will send the medication away from the heart. There would be quite a significant delay in therapeutic effect, taking into account that the return route from medication entry point to the heart and then out to the body is longer.

[mummer43, BSN, RN]

The reason is simply anatomic. Arteries flow outward from the heart. Vein flow toward it. You get systemic distribution of the drug using a vein. Using an a-line will send the medication away from the heart. There would be quite a significant delay in therapeutic effect, taking into account that the return route from medication entry point to the heart and then out to the body is longer.

That makes sense. Thanks!

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

You can also permanently damage or sclerose an artery compromising circulation to the extremity.

[SFRN]

Hi,

Yes NEVER give meds through an A-line. I now work in an adult cardiac surgical ICU. However, I used to work in a neonatal ICU, and nurses would sometimes give meds through a UAC (umbilical artery line). Of course you would need to know where the line terminated---i.e. not in the baby's liver etc. I remember nurses even giving calcium through the UAC! I always was uneasy about using UAC or UVC lines even when I knew (via x-ray) where the line was.....do they still use UAC lines for meds???? any current NICU nurses out there?