The PERSEUS Guidelines - Using ultrasound for vascular access and regional anesthesia

TF Chair : Prof. M. Lamperti

The use of ultrasound is now widely spread in the clinical field, not only for diagnostic purposes but also for procedural applications. Its utilisation has revolutionised various aspects of medical practice by providing real-time, dynamic imaging that enhances the accuracy and safety of numerous interventions. Ultrasound has been shown to be more effective and precise than traditional landmark techniques, significantly improving success rates and reducing complications. However, to fully harness its potential, practitioners must possess a thorough knowledge of ultrasound anatomy and demonstrate proficient hand-eye coordination.

In recent years, several guidelines and meta-analyses have been published regarding the use of ultrasound in specific contexts such as vascular access and regional anaesthesia. However, these guidelines often focus on particular vascular sites or are limited to either peripheral or neuraxial blocks, leaving a gap in comprehensive, unified recommendations that span the breadth of these procedures.

The PERSEUS guidelines aim to address this gap by covering two main aspects of daily anaesthesia practice: ultrasound-guided vascular access and regional anaesthesia. Our objective is to provide evidence-based recommendations that enhance these procedures’ efficacy, efficiency, and overall patient experience. By consolidating best practices and integrating the latest research findings, the PERSEUS guidelines seek to standardise and optimise the use of ultrasound in these critical areas, ultimately improving patient outcomes and practitioner proficiency.

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