European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Ultrasound-guided arterial catheterization has become an essential technique in clinical practice, particularly in critical care, anesthesia, and perioperative settings (1,2). Traditional palpation methods are often associated with lower success rates, increased procedure time, and higher complication rates, especially in patients with difficult vascular access (3). The use of ultrasound guidance has been shown to improve first-attempt success rates and reduce complications by providing real-time visualization of vascular structures (4,5).

Two primary ultrasound-guided techniques are commonly used for arterial line placement: the in-plane (IP) and out-plane (OP) approaches. The in-plane method allows for continuous visualization of the entire needle trajectory, reducing the risk of inadvertent vascular injury and improving procedural accuracy (6). Conversely, the out-plane technique involves inserting the needle perpendicular to the ultrasound probe, which may lead to challenges in maintaining visualization of the needle tip, increasing the likelihood of multiple attempts (7).

Several studies have examined the efficacy of these two techniques in different clinical scenarios, with varying results. Some reports suggest that the in-plane approach provides better success rates and fewer complications, while others argue that operator experience plays a crucial role in determining outcomes (8,9). Additionally, factors such as patient anatomy, vessel depth, and operator familiarity with ultrasound may influence the effectiveness of each technique (10).

This prospective clinical study aims to compare the success rates, procedural efficiency, and complication rates between the in-plane and out-plane ultrasound-guided arterial catheterization techniques. The findings of this study may help guide clinical practice by identifying the optimal approach for arterial line placement, particularly in high-risk patients.

Study Design and Population

A total of 100 adult patients (aged 18–65 years) requiring arterial catheterization for hemodynamic monitoring or blood gas analysis were included in the study. Patients with coagulopathy, severe peripheral vascular disease, or anatomical abnormalities preventing ultrasound-guided access were excluded.

Randomization and Group Allocation

Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the In-Plane (IP) Group (n=50) and the Out-Plane (OP) Group (n=50). Randomization was performed using a computer-generated sequence to ensure an unbiased allocation.

Procedure

All arterial catheterizations were performed by anesthesiologists with at least three years of experience in ultrasound-guided vascular access. The radial artery was the preferred site for cannulation, and all procedures were conducted under strict aseptic conditions.

A high-frequency linear ultrasound probe (5–15 MHz) was used for guidance. In the IP technique, the needle was inserted parallel to the probe, allowing for continuous visualization of the needle along its entire trajectory. In the OP technique, the needle was inserted perpendicular to the probe, with only a cross-sectional view available. A 20G catheter-over-needle technique was used in both groups. Once arterial blood return was confirmed, the catheter was advanced, and securement was performed using standard protocols.

Outcome Measures

The primary outcomes assessed were:

• First-attempt success rate – Defined as successful cannulation on the first needle pass.
• Total procedure time – Measured from needle insertion to successful arterial cannulation.
• Complication rates – Including hematoma formation, arterial spasm, and unintentional venous puncture.

Secondary outcomes included operator-reported ease of technique (scored on a 5-point Likert scale) and patient-reported discomfort (measured using a visual analog scale).

Statistical Analysis

Data were analyzed using SPSS version [25]. Categorical variables (e.g., success rates, complications) were analyzed using the chi-square test, while continuous variables (e.g., procedure time) were compared using the Student's t-test. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Baseline Characteristics

The study included 100 patients, with 50 in the in-plane (IP) group and 50 in the out-plane (OP) group. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics, including age, gender distribution, BMI, hypertension, and diabetes prevalence between the groups (p > 0.05) (Table 1).

Table 1: Baseline Characteristics of Study Participants

Primary Outcomes

The first-attempt success rate was significantly higher in the IP group (90%) compared to the OP group (75%) (p = 0.02). Additionally, the mean procedure time was shorter in the IP group (45 ± 10 seconds) than in the OP group (60 ± 12 seconds), demonstrating a statistically significant difference (p = 0.01) (Table 2).

Complications and Secondary Outcomes

The overall complication rate was lower in the IP group (8%) compared to the OP group (15%), but this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.08). Operator ease, measured on a 5-point Likert scale, was rated higher for the IP technique (4.5 ± 0.6) than the OP technique (3.8 ± 0.7) (p = 0.03). Patients in the IP group reported lower discomfort scores (2.1 ± 1.2) on the visual analog scale (VAS) compared to those in the OP group (3.4 ± 1.4), which was statistically significant (p = 0.04) (Table 2).

These findings indicate that the in-plane technique offers a higher success rate, reduced procedure time, and better operator preference, with lower patient discomfort. ​​

Table 2: Comparison of Procedural Outcomes

The findings of this study demonstrate that the in-plane (IP) ultrasound-guided technique for arterial line placement provides a significantly higher first-attempt success rate, reduced procedure time, and lower patient discomfort compared to the out-plane (OP) technique. These results align with previous studies that have emphasized the advantages of the in-plane approach in ensuring continuous needle visualization, thereby improving procedural efficiency and safety (1,2).

One of the key observations in this study was the significantly higher first-attempt success rate in the IP group (90%) compared to the OP group (75%) (p = 0.02). The ability to visualize the entire length of the needle in the in-plane technique may contribute to this increased success rate, as it allows for better trajectory control and precise vessel entry (3,4). In contrast, the out-plane approach only provides a cross-sectional view of the needle, increasing the likelihood of multiple puncture attempts and misalignment with the artery (5).

The mean procedure time was also significantly lower in the IP group (45 ± 10 seconds) compared to the OP group (60 ± 12 seconds) (p = 0.01). This is consistent with previous studies reporting that the in-plane approach facilitates more efficient catheter placement by reducing the need for multiple adjustments (6,7). Faster procedure times are particularly beneficial in critically ill patients where rapid vascular access is crucial for hemodynamic monitoring and management (8).

Regarding complication rates, although the IP technique exhibited a lower incidence of hematoma formation and arterial spasm (8% vs. 15%), the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.08). Similar findings have been reported in previous studies, suggesting that while both techniques are relatively safe, the in-plane approach may minimize vessel trauma due to enhanced needle visualization (9,10). However, the clinical significance of this reduction in complications requires further investigation with larger sample sizes.

Operator ease and patient discomfort were also evaluated in this study. The IP technique received higher operator ease scores (4.5 ± 0.6) compared to the OP technique (3.8 ± 0.7) (p = 0.03), which suggests that clinicians found the in-plane method more intuitive and manageable. Additionally, patients in the IP group reported significantly lower discomfort scores (2.1 ± 1.2 vs. 3.4 ± 1.4, p = 0.04), which may be attributed to fewer needle passes and a shorter procedure duration (11,12).

While the in-plane approach appears to offer several advantages, it is important to acknowledge potential limitations. Operator experience plays a crucial role in the success of ultrasound-guided arterial cannulation, and proficiency in both techniques is necessary for optimal clinical practice (13). Additionally, anatomical variations, such as arterial depth and patient-specific factors, may influence the effectiveness of each technique, warranting further research in diverse patient populations (14).

Overall, our findings support the use of the in-plane ultrasound-guided technique as the preferred approach for arterial line placement due to its higher success rate, reduced procedure time, and improved patient comfort. Future studies with larger sample sizes and multicenter trials should be conducted to further validate these findings and explore additional factors influencing procedural success (15).

This study demonstrates that the in-plane (IP) ultrasound-guided arterial line placement technique offers superior outcomes compared to the out-plane (OP) approach. The IP technique resulted in a significantly higher first-attempt success rate, shorter procedure time, and lower patient discomfort, with a trend toward fewer complications. Additionally, operator ease scores were higher for the in-plane method, suggesting that clinicians found it more intuitive and efficient.

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