Axillary arterial monitoring of pediatric patients.

Use of the axillary artery for hemodynamic monitoring has gained acceptance in critically ill adults. However, there is little information concerning the safety and complications of such catheters in the pediatric population. Sixteen pediatric patients who had axillary lines placed for pressure monitoring were evaluated for neurologic and vascular function, by comparing the arm with the axillary line with the contralateral arm. There were no major complications during axillary artery monitoring. After decannulation, systolic blood pressure did not differ between arms. In a pediatric critical care environment with skilled ongoing nursing care, the axillary artery can be used as a site for intraarterial monitoring in pediatric patients without a detrimental effect on concurrent or future blood pressure monitoring.