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An arterial stick is the collection of blood from an artery for laboratory testing.
Alternative NamesBlood sample - arterial
How the test is performedUsually the blood is drawn from the wrist. However, it may also be drawn from the inside of the elbow, groin, or other artery. A heartbeat (pulse) is felt by pressing on the area above an artery. The doctor will usually check to make sure blood is flowing into the hand from the main arteries in the forearm (radial and ulnar arteries).
The area is cleaned with antiseptic and a needle is inserted. A small amount of anesthetic may be injected or applied before the needle is inserted. The blood will easily flow into the specially prepared (heparinized) syringe.
The needle is removed after there is enough of a blood sample. Pressure is applied to the puncture site for 5 - 10 minutes to stop the bleeding. You will be checked during this time to make sure the bleeding stops.
How to prepare for the testPreparation varies with the specific test performed.
How the test will feelPuncture of an artery may be somewhat more uncomfortable than puncture of a vein, because arteries are deeper than veins, have thicker walls, and have more nerves. Also, firm pressure must be placed over the site after the blood is drawn.
When the needle is inserted, most people feel moderate discomfort or pain. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performedBlood transports oxygen, food, waste products, and other materials within the body. It also regulates body temperature, fluids, and the balance of acids and bases.
Blood is made up of a fluid portion (plasma) and a cellular portion. Plasma contains various substances dissolved in the fluid. The cellular portion is made up mainly of red blood cells, but it also includes white blood cells and platelets.
Because blood has many functions within the body, tests on the blood or its components may give valuable clues to help doctors diagnose many medical conditions.
Blood in the arteries (arterial blood) differs from blood in the veins (venous blood) mainly in its content of dissolved gases. Testing arterial blood shows the make-up of the blood before any of its contents are used by the body tissues.
Normal ValuesSee specific tests, particularly the arterial blood gas test.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results meanAn arterial stick is done to get blood samples from arteries. Arterial blood samples are mainly taken to measure arterial blood gases (which may indicate breathing problems or metabolic disorders). However, arterial sticks may sometimes be done to get blood culture or blood chemistry samples.
What the risks areVeins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling light-headed
- Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
- Bruising
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
There is a slight risk of damage to nearby tissues when the blood is drawn. Blood can be taken from lower-risk sites, and techniques are used to minimize tissue damage.
Special considerationsIf blood is easier to get from one location or side of your body, let the person who is drawing your blood know before starting the test.
ReferencesMizma D, Janchar T. Arterial puncture and cannulation. In: Roberts JR, Hedges JR, eds. Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2004:chap 20.
What else can I help you with?
Invasive sampling of blood from where would reveal that the blood is deoxygenated?
If you're referring to hypo-oxygenation, an arterial stick would be a surefire method. Id you mean naturally, non-pathological de-oxygenation as part of the normal circulatory process, venous blood will show this and a sample from a vein will do the trick.
Why is blood drawn from veins rather than arteries?
doctors typically draw blood from veins because veins are more superficial (ie close to the surface of the skin) and therefore more easily accessible. additionally, arteries are under high pressure and there is a risk of major bleeding. lastly, you have less collateral circulation with arteries than veins. what that means is this (let's use your arm as an example): there are many different veins in your forearm that lets blood get from your hand back to your heart, so damaging any one of these veins isn't a big deal. however, there are only two arteries in your forearm that supplies blood to your hand (the radial and ulnar arteries). Arterial blood is sampled from the radial artery because it's bigger and more easily accessible. However, damaging this artery can be catastrophic if the ulnar artery is not well developed, because then your hand is not getting enough blood, and it can become gangrenous and die (this is a vascular emergency). That is why doctors will do an Allen's test (look it up on google... you can even try it on yourself) before doing an arterial stick to make sure you have good blood flow through your ulnar artery that can sustain your hand in case the radial artery is destroyed with the arterial stick. so for these reasons, doctors don't do an arterial blood draw unless they really need one, and the one test that comes to mind where you absolutely need arterial blood is the arterial blood gas test. this test is used when doctors need to know the oxygen saturation and pH of the arterial blood, typically in patients with respiratory failure and sometimes in type 1 diabetics with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
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