*2nd Important Objective of CCN* *Arterial Line (Art Line):* An arterial line is a thin catheter inserted into an artery (commonly the *radial artery*, but sometimes *femoral* or *brachial*). It's connected to a pressure transducer system and monitor, used in critical care and surgery. *Purpose:* - Continuous monitoring of blood pressure (especially *mean arterial pressure – MAP*). - Frequent blood sampling, especially *arterial blood gases (ABGs)*. --- *Arterial Pressure:* It refers to the pressure of blood within the arteries. It includes: - *Systolic pressure* (during heart contraction) - *Diastolic pressure* (during relaxation) - *MAP (Mean Arterial Pressure)* – average pressure in arteries, important for organ perfusion. *MAP = [SBP + (2 × DBP)] / 3* *Normal arterial pressures:* - Systolic: 90–120 mmHg - Diastolic: 60–80 mmHg - MAP: 70–105 mmHg An arterial line provides accurate, real-time readings and is more reliable than cuff measurements in unstable patients.