Tuesday October 21, 2008

Q: What percentage of patients may develop complications secondary to brachial artery cannulation?

Answer: upto 42%

It was established almost 40 years ago by Mortensen 1 that brachial artery cannulation is not an ideal location. The lack of collateral circulation about the elbow may predispose to forearm and hand ischemic complications.

Case report & review: Compartment Syndrome of the Forearm and Hand After Brachial Artery Cannulation (pdf) - Anesth Analg 1995; 81: 1092-4



Reference:

1. Mortensen JD. Clinical sequelae from arterial needle puncture, cannulation, and incision. Circulation 1967;35:1118-23.