Guide to Vascular Access: Femoral, Radial, and Venous Access

Vascular access is a core element of many interventional procedures and is the conduit through which intravascular treatment, devices, and therapies are delivered in a minimally invasive fashion. The foundational components of obtaining successful vascular access cross over into many other percutaneous procedures that an interventionalist would need to be comfortable and familiar with in order to provide safe and effective patient care. This chapter will discuss the general principles of vascular access including vessel selection, techniques for visualizing and evaluating vessels under ultrasound, general steps in obtaining vascular access, and the more detailed nuances of accessing specific arteries and veins. It will also include details pertaining to radial artery access, which has been gaining significant momentum over the past several years. Additional discussion will include the use of closure devices, benefits and risks of each mode of access, and how to recognize and prevent complications associated with vascular access.