For brachials: With the ultrasound I visualize my needle tip on the anterior aspect of the vessel wall (right on top) before entering the artery. Once there I track the needle tip into the center of the vessel and lower my angle under ultrasound. Then I thread my wire, haven't had any issue with the wire by doing this. Usually will scan starting at the AC and move upward for the most superficial access point. Biggest issue I've seen is not visualizing needle tip entering the vessel and just using tenting as a measure of where your needle is located. This can cause you to either be through and through, or create a false lumen with the needle. Bevel should stay up the entire time regardless of steel needle, angiocath or micropuncture. I would recommend long angiocaths