Episode 129: Vascular Access with Dave Berman

Vascular access is critical for anesthesiologists, who act as prescriber, pharmacist, and administrator of medications. Considerations for vascular access include patient factors, the procedure, and the preferences/experience of the surgeon. Different types of access include peripheral IVs, PICC lines, and central lines (femoral, jugular, subclavian), each with varying indications. Flow rates are impacted by catheter length, viscosity of the fluid, catheter radius, and pressure differential. Rapid infusion systems like the Ranger, Hotline, Belmont, and Thermacore can help deliver large volumes of fluid while mitigating hypothermia and coagulopathy. Ultimately, selecting the appropriate vascular access requires balancing the need for rapid infusion with potential complications.