An Ultrasound-Guided Vascular Access Procedure in an Anesthetized Pig

Take an anesthetized pig in the supine position to access the femoral arteries in the inner thigh and the jugular veins in the neck.

Disinfect the sites, cover using drapes, and administer subcutaneous anesthesia for localized numbing.

Apply a coupling gel to the transducer probe of an ultrasound system.

Position the probe over the target vessel and emit ultrasound waves, which reflect off tissues to produce images.

Blood reflects fewer waves to produce weaker signals, rendering it darker than the vessel walls.

Insert a needle into the vessel, advance a guidewire to establish a track, then withdraw the needle.

Make an incision, use a dilator to enlarge the opening, and slide an introducer sheath into the vessel.

Remove the dilator and guidewire, then administer an anticoagulant to prevent blood clotting.

Attach a pressure line for invasive blood pressure measurement and secure the sheath with sutures to establish stable vascular access.

After selecting the appropriate introducer sheath, flush the sheath, Seldinger needle and the dilator with heparinized saline.

Wrap the linear ultrasound probe with a sterile cover and apply enough ultrasound gel. Use the ultrasound to identify the common f