Vascular Access and Closure Devices Flashcards

Which guidewire characteristic is most critical when exchanging catheters during cardiac catheterization?

Answer: Wire length sufficient to allow catheter removal without losing arterial access

During catheter exchange, using an exchange-length wire (260–300 cm) ensures the existing catheter can be fully removed while maintaining arterial access.

The primary purpose of heparin administered during cardiac catheterization is to:

Answer: Prevent thrombotic complications from catheter and sheath introduction

Systemic heparin anticoagulation prevents thrombus formation on catheters, guidewires, and sheaths placed within the arterial system during catheterization.

When is a femoral venous sheath most important during right heart catheterization?

Answer: To maintain reliable venous access for emergency pacing or medication delivery

A femoral venous sheath during right heart catheterization maintains reliable venous access for emergency temporary pacing or rapid vasopressor administration if needed.

Brachial artery access for catheterization carries which unique complication risk compared to femoral access?

Answer: Brachial artery thrombosis causing distal ischemia or median nerve injury

Brachial artery thrombosis is a specific risk of brachial access because the vessel is an end-artery in the arm, and thrombosis can cause limb-threatening ischemia or median nerve injury.

Patent hemostasis during transradial catheterization is defined as:

Answer: Maintaining some antegrade radial artery flow while achieving hemostasis

Patent hemostasis maintains antegrade radial artery flow during compression, significantly reducing the incidence of post-procedural radial artery occlusion.

The double-wall puncture technique in vascular access involves:

Answer: Advancing the needle through both vessel walls then slowly withdrawing until backflow confirms luminal position

The double-wall puncture technique intentionally traverses both vessel walls and then slowly withdraws the needle until arterial blood flow confirms entry into the lumen.