The Must Knows of IR: Part 3 (For first timers in IR)

IR Procedural Skills: Pigtail Catheters and Manual Hemostasis

This episode breaks down the mechanics of two foundational interventional skills—drainage catheter deployment and arterial compression—where proper technique is the only line of defense against complications.

• The Pigtail Mechanism: We explain how the "locking loop" secures the catheter to prevent migration and the critical deployment rule: hold the internal stiffener stationary while pushing the catheter off it to ensure it curls correctly inside the fluid collection.

• The Anatomy of a Stick: Effective hemostasis requires understanding that the hole in the artery is superior (higher) and deeper than the hole in the skin due to the angle of entry.

• Common Pressure Mistakes: Most failures happen because operators press too low (at the skin incision) rather than at the actual arterial puncture site.

• The 10-Minute Rule: We detail the strict protocol for manual compression: 10 minutes of consistent pressure followed by a crucial 5-minute weaning period to ensure the clot holds.

Tune in to master the "simple" mechanics that keep patients safe.