You have had a procedure to give you an access device. You will now be able to get medicine, blood, nutrients, or other fluids with more comfort. You won't have to be poked by a needle every time. For some people, blood for lab tests can be drawn from the access device.
You will have an incision. It will leave a scar that fades with time. The site may be sore for a day or two. You may need to take 1 or 2 days off from work. You may have this access device for weeks or months.
Having a needle put into an artery is more painful than having it put into a vein. That's because the arteries are deeper and are near nerves. If you are awake at the time, your medical team will use medicine to numb the area first. Any mild discomfort usually gets better after the line is in place.
There are a few risks to having an arterial line put in. These risks include infections, bleeding, damage to the artery, and blood clots. ICU teams check the line regularly to help prevent these problems.
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