From the Research
The purpose of assessing and comparing the left and right radial pulse every 15 minutes during transport of an IABP-assisted patient is to ensure equal peripheral circulation. This assessment is critical because unequal peripheral circulation can lead to serious complications such as limb ischemia, which has been reported in several studies as a common vascular complication associated with IABP use 1, 2, 3. By comparing both radial pulses, the critical care paramedic can quickly detect any discrepancies in peripheral circulation, which may indicate a problem with the IABP catheter positioning or other underlying issues. For example, a study published in 2018 found that the overall incidence of vascular complications, including limb ischemia, ranged from 0.94% to 31.1% in patients with IABP 1. Another study published in 1989 reported that lower limb ischemia was present in 47% of patients undergoing IABP therapy, with 14% having major ischemic complications 2. Therefore, regular assessment of radial pulses is essential to prevent serious complications and ensure optimal patient outcomes. It is also important to note that other options, such as assessing for compartment syndrome or verifying systolic blood pressure, are not directly related to the purpose of comparing radial pulses in IABP-assisted patients. However, ensuring equal peripheral circulation is crucial to prevent complications and improve patient outcomes, as supported by the study published in 2018 1.