Ultrasound-guided arterial puncture.

Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis can yield information vital to the management of both acute and chronic disorders affecting gas exchange. In the setting of a restrictive ventilatory impairment due to chest-wall deformities (eg, scoliosis), hypercapnia indicates severe impairment and should prompt consideration of noninvasive ventilation.1 However, arterial puncture is often painful, particularly when more than one attempt is required.2 We report the use of 2-dimensional ultrasound to guide arterial puncture for arterial blood sampling from a patient with severe scoliosis due to arthrogryposis multiplex congenita.