Peripheral arterial line - infants
PAL - infants; Art line - infants; Arterial line - neonatal
Information
A peripheral arterial line (PAL) is a small, short, plastic catheter that is put through the skin into an artery of the arm or leg. Health care providers sometimes call it an "art line." This article addresses PALs in babies.
WHY IS A PAL USED?
Providers use a PAL to watch your baby's blood pressure. A PAL can also be used to take frequent blood samples, rather than having to stick a baby repeatedly. A PAL is often needed if a baby has:
- Severe lung disease and is on a ventilator
- Blood pressure problems and is on medicines for it
HOW IS A PAL PLACED?
First, the provider cleans the baby's skin with a germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). Then the small catheter is put into the artery. After the PAL is in, it is connected to an IV fluid bag and blood pressure monitor.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF A PAL?
Risks include:
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The greatest risk is if the PAL stops blood from going to the hand or foot. Testing before the PAL is placed can prevent this complication in most cases. The
NICU nurses
will carefully watch your baby for this problem.
NICU nurses
This article discusses the primary team of caregivers who are involved in the care of your infant in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The st...
- PALs have a greater risk for bleeding than standard IVs.
- There is a small risk for infection, but it is lower than the risk from a standard IV.
References
Santillanes G, Claudius I. Pediatric vascular access and blood sampling techniques. In: Roberts J, ed. Roberts and Hedges' Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 19.
United States Centers for Disease Control Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee. 2011 guidelines for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections. www.cdc.gov/hicpac/BSI/02-bsi-summary-of-recommendations-2011.html . Accessed February 4, 2016.
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Peripheral arterial line - illustration
A peripheral arterial line is a small, short plastic catheter placed through the skin into an artery of the arm or leg. The purpose of a peripheral arterial line is to allow continuous monitoring of blood pressure and, when necessary, to allow frequent blood samples to be drawn for testing without needing to repeatedly stick your baby.
Peripheral arterial line
illustration
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Peripheral arterial line - illustration
A peripheral arterial line is a small, short plastic catheter placed through the skin into an artery of the arm or leg. The purpose of a peripheral arterial line is to allow continuous monitoring of blood pressure and, when necessary, to allow frequent blood samples to be drawn for testing without needing to repeatedly stick your baby.
Peripheral arterial line
illustration
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Peripheral artery disease and intermittent claudication
(In-Depth)
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Coronary artery disease
(In-Depth)
Review Date: 11/3/2015
Reviewed By: Kimberly G. Lee, MD, MSc, IBCLC, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.