The insertion of a catheter directly into an artery, usually the radial artery in the wrist, to enable continuous blood pressure monitoring and frequent blood sampling. This procedure provides real-time hemodynamic data in critically ill patients.
From Latin 'arteria' meaning 'artery' (from Greek 'aer' air + 'terein' to keep, as ancients thought arteries carried air) + 'linea' meaning 'line' + 'placement.' The technique developed in the 1960s as intensive care monitoring became more sophisticated and continuous vital sign assessment became crucial.
Try Another Word