Arterial Puncture

Arterial puncture is now commonly used for clinical and research purposes, but it is still regarded with suspicion in some quarters (Mushin, 1964).During the past 10 months we have followed up 77 patients on whom 160 arterial punctures were performed and have recorded any complications that occurred.The majority of punctures were performed to help in diag- nosis or treatment, but a small number were for purposes of research. MethodNo. 1 (21 S.W.G. 0.9 mm.outside diameter) and No. 12 (23 S.W.G., 0.7 mm.O.D.) needles were employed through- out the series.We had previously found difficulty in obtain- ing samples with No. 20 (26 S.W.G., 0.45 mm.O.D.) needles, though Marshall (1964) states that this is practicable.Five- millilitre siliconed all-glass syringes were used for collecting the blood, and the dead-space (0.2-0.4 ml.) of the syringe and needle was filled with heparin (heparin injection B.P. 1,000