Ultrasound Versus Fluoroscopically-guided Arterial Access in Non-cardiac Vascular Patients

In the investigators vascular practice, either fluoroscopic- or ultrasound-guided technique is routinely used to obtain femoral arterial access. Ultrasound-guidance is frequently used in patients with weak or absent pulses, known abnormal vascular anatomy, need for bypass graft puncture, and to ensure accurate arterial puncture in patients expected to receive large doses of blood-thinning medications during or after the procedure. For those practitioners experienced with ultrasound-guided access techniques, it is considered highly accurate and easy to use; thus, some physicians routinely use this tool. A well-designed study is needed to truly assess the accuracy of the ultrasound technique and to determine whether it may reduce complications of arterial access in vascular patients. By demonstrating the safest, most accurate and efficient technique for obtaining arterial access during catheter-based procedures, the investigators could significantly reduce morbidity and mortality associated with complications of arterial puncture. Length of hospital stay, management costs and patient discomfort could be reduced by minimizing complication rates.