Common Novice Errors

RAO projection to confirm right femoral artery access

Arterial access in a vasculopath is often fraught with difficulty because of the issue of diseased vessels. Upon obtaining arterial access, confirmation of a non-diseased portion of the vessel is usually obtained. When working in the right groin, confirmation is through a femoral angiogram with the C-arm in the RAO position.

In this video, the trainee inadvertently obtains the angiogram with the C-arm in LAO position - demonstrating overlap of the common femoral and profunda arteries. When corrected, the RAO position allows for clear visualization of the femoral bifurcation and the relative puncture site,

C-arm position to confirm right femoral artery access