Evaluation of radial and ulnar blood flow after radial artery cannulation with 20‐ and 22‐gauge cannulae using duplex Doppler ultrasound

Abstract

SummaryThis study evaluated ulnar and radial artery blood flow after radial artery cannulation during general anaesthesia using Doppler ultrasound. A total of 80 patients were randomly assigned to receive radial artery cannulation with either a 20-G or 22-G cannula. Arterial diameter, peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, resistance index and mean volume flow were measured at four time points in both arteries: before anaesthesia; 5 min after intubation; immediately after cannulation; and 5 min after cannulation. After radial artery cannulation, ulnar diameters and blood flow were significantly increased, and persisted until 5 min after cannulation. Radial blood flow was decreased immediately after cannulation and recovered to pre-cannulation values 5 min after cannulation. There were no statistical differences between groups at each time point. Radial artery cannulation causes compensatory increase in ulnar artery blood flow, and the difference in cannula size has minimal effect on this change.

Photoplethysmography using a smartphone application for assessment of ulnar artery patency: a randomized clinical trial

“…Second, some studies have shown the presence of recruitable vascular reserve in the hand that can prevent clinically evident ischemia after mechanical manipulation of the radial artery. 27,28 This concept is supported clearly by studies that show the safety of using the homolateral ulnar artery for access in patients with occluded or unavailable radial artery access. 29,30 Finally, no substantial numbers of isch emic complications were reported in our study or in other RCTs that evaluated transradial access.…”

Flow and Diameter Changes of Forearm Arteries During Temporary Unilateral Reciprocal Occlusion: A Prospective Observational Study

“…The RA cannulation under general anesthesia results in a marked compensatory increase in the ipsilateral UA blood flow . The compression of RA at the wrist level increases the blood flow and peak velocity of UA .…”

Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Radial and Ulnar Arterial Vasoreactivity after Radial Artery Cannulation: A Randomized Controlled trial

“…When the radial artery diameter decreased by more than 20% of the pre-cannulation diameter, we noted cannulation-induced vasospasm. 10 Ultrasonographic measurements were obtained using a LOGIQe TM instrument (GE Healthcare, Wauwatosa, WI, USA) with a linear probe (12L-RS, 8-13 MHz) by a single experienced operator.…”