Tips to Fix Positional Arterial Lines

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I did a search on this site but didn't find any info on fixing a positional art line. I was wondering if anyone out there has a trick they use to fix an art with a bad wave form. I have tried taping the thumb back a little or positioning the wrist with folded towels to bend it back a little. These don't always do the trick, so fess up if you have a great tip that might save the nurses out here a little grief.

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Specializes in CCRN, CNRN, Flight Nurse.

Sometimes, a good, firm flush will help - hopefully, get the end of the catheter to move away from the vessel wall. Occasionally, I will find art lines which 'like' to have the hand bent bit (or more) forward. And then there are times when you are just out of luck.

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Specializes in ER, NICU, PICU, Critical Care Transport.

Do you ever use Papaverine in your a-lines? I've seen it do great things for vasospasims.

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Specializes in ICU, Education.

I have never heard of papaverine. Also, i was not under the impression that dampened waveforms were the result of vasospasms. I would like to hear more on this. Some of the tricks i use have been as mentionied, the extending arm board, and holding the thumb back (never taped the thumb back before) Sometimes taping a rolled gauze over the insertion site of the catheter helps the tip off the vessle wall . Sometimes turning the arm a certain way. For catheter whip or hyperressonance, a rose is sometimes helpfull

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