Hemodynamics, fluids & transfusion
Comparison between invasive radial and femoral arterial pressures and carotid tonometry in intensive care unit (ICU) patients: A physiological study
Authors' conclusion
The pressure amplification was lower at the femoral than radial artery level and should not be neglected in ICU patients when interpreting arterial pressures and estimating hemodynamic variables.
Study context
- Population
- Consecutive spontaneously breathing ICU patients already equipped with an arterial catheter
- Participants
- 98 participants
- Exposure
- Radial vs Femoral
- Radialn = 59
- Femoraln = 39reference
- Outcome
- Difference in pulse pressure amplification (PPAMP) and systolic pressure amplification (SPAMP) between femoral and radial arteries (vs carotid tonometry as surrogate of aortic pressure)
Methodological detailssingle-center
- Single-center
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
PPAMP and SPAMP
P = 0.04
- PP ratio higher at radial than femoral level
- P = 0.03
- SP ratio higher at radial than femoral level
- P = 0.04
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Secondary outcomes
Overestimation of centrally-derived cardiac power output (CPO)
P = 0.04
- Overestimation of centrally-derived cardiac power output (CPO) — Correlation of overestimation with pulse pressure amplification (PPAMP) and systolic pressure amplification (SPAMP) (r)
- 0.85
- Overestimation of centrally-derived cardiac power output (CPO) — Correlation of overestimation with PP ratio (r)
- 0.77
- Overestimation of centrally-derived cardiac power output (CPO) — Correlation of overestimation with SP ratio (r)
- 0.85
- Overestimation of centrally-derived cardiac power output (CPO): all p < 0.001
Peripheral vs carotid SAP and PP
- Femoral and radial SAP and PP higher than carotid SAP and PP
- P < 0.001
Total arterial stiffness and effective arterial elastance (Ea)
- Similar results to CPO
Original publication
Comparison between invasive radial and femoral arterial pressures and carotid tonometry in ICU patients: A physiological study. Ann Intensive Care. Published 27 April 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →