The use of micropuncture technique for vascular or body cavity access.

More than 1 million cardiac catheterizations are performed every year in the United States, and incur substantial risk of access site bleeding. Furthermore, insertion of central venous catheters and performance of pericardio- or pleurocentesis are common practice, also with substantial risk of vascular or organ injury. One of the major risks for access site bleeding is multiple or posterior arterial puncture with a large needle. Using a very small needle to obtain initial access to vessels or organ cavities has the potential to reduce the risk of bleeding or organ injury. Multiple unsuccessful attempts to achieve vascular access are more forgiving, and accidental organ injury during pericardio- or pleurocentesis is less traumatic when using a small micropuncture needle. This article reviews the use of micropuncture technique for vascular or organ cavity access, a technique that has the potential to decrease vascular access site complications and organ injury.