Arterial blood pressure catheter

An arterial blood pressure catheter is a thin, flexible tube inserted into an artery to measure blood pressure continuously over short periods (up to 30 days). Clinically, it is used in critical care settings to provide real-time monitoring of hemodynamic stability, especially in patients with severe illness or during surgical procedures where precise pressure readings are critical.

These devices are typically single-use and require sterile handling, often paired with external monitoring systems. Regulation varies by jurisdiction, but they are generally classified based on their risk profile and intended use, with specific guidelines governing their design, manufacturing, and distribution to ensure patient safety and accuracy of measurements.