Cannulation of the Radial and Dorsalis Pedis Arteries

Abstract

The complications inherent in cannulation of the radial (group I) and dorsalis pedis (group II) arteries were studied in 46 patients. All the local and systemic variables which might be considered to contribute to damage of the artery were studied, from which it appeared that only the duration of cannulation, prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time were significant in determining post-cannulation blood flow. A 20-gauge Teflon cannula was used in all patients and velocity of flow measured with a Doppler velocimeter probe. A majority of arteries showed a reduction of flow velocity for 24-72 h after the removal of the cannula, with evidence of improvement at 120 h. In six arteries--three in each group--flow ceased altogether after 24-72 h. No disability of either hand or foot resulted.

Untitled

“…The radial artery is the most common site for arterial cannulation, and the studies that reported complication rates are listed in Table 1 [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. The most common complication was temporary occlusion of the artery, the incidence of which ranged from 1.5% [ 17 ] to 35% [ 10 ] (mean 19.7%), the variability being due to the different methods employed and the degree of effort invested in detecting this complication.…”

“…The dorsal pedis artery has also been cannulated without any major complications [ 24 , 54 ]. However, because of its distance from the central circulation and associated difficulties in hypotensive patients it is generally avoided [ 64 ].…”

“…The use of peripheral arterial catheters for haemodynamic monitoring is widespread. The most frequently used site is the radial artery because of its well documented low complication rates and easy access [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. In the present review we report on 19,617 radial artery cannulations, and the main complication was temporary occlusion of the artery (incidence 19.70%).…”

A survey of the use of arterial catheters in anesthetized dogs and cats: 267 cases

“…The time to onset of occlusion varied and sometimes occurred after removal of the catheter. For example, in a study of 46 human patients with catheterization of the radial or dorsal pedal arteries for elective surgery, complete occlusion was identified in six patients, in which occlusion occurred 24 hours after the catheter was removed in two patients, and not until 72 hours later in four patients . In another study of 100 human patients with radial artery catheterization and undergoing heart surgery, one patient with normal arterial blood flow after catheter removal developed occlusion 2 days later .…”