Trouble with Cannulation

[Bruno]

This is the second time in a row I've had trouble getting the needle into the arterial access (I'm using blunts). I get the needle in, get pulsation, shove the needle home and lose it. Not only that, I can't move the blood to the end of the cannula, which means I can't get any saline in. So I pull the needle halfway out which lets me draw the blood into the cannula and salinate it and then push it home.
Since this has only just happened on this site (its been working perfectly for months) I suspect a blood clot but I'm not sure.
Any thoughts on what I might try?

[silverhead]

Have you tried rotating the needle 180 degrees once it's in (flipping), the bevel of the opening might come to rest against the wall of the artery and block flow.
Once you have penetrated the artery try changing the angle before pushing it in all the way.
Just random thoughts from similar experiences......
Tom

[Bruno]

Thanks SH, your second point was right, I wasn't flattening it after I got access.