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Ischaemia of the Hand in Infants Following Radial or Ulnar Artery Catheterisation

Green1, Tonkin

  • 1Department of Hand Surgery and Peripheral Nerve Surgery, Royal North Shore Hospital and Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

Hand Surgery : an International Journal Devoted to Hand and Upper Limb Surgery and Related Research : Journal of the Asia-Pacific Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand
|November 23, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Radial artery catheterization can cause permanent digital ischemia in infants, a rare but severe complication. This study highlights three new cases, emphasizing the need for careful monitoring and consideration of risks in pediatric intensive care.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric surgery
  • Vascular access complications
  • Neonatal intensive care

Background:

  • Arterial catheterization (radial and ulnar) is common in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units for monitoring.
  • Temporary ischemic changes like blanching are frequent, but permanent ischemia is rare in infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report on digital ischemia as a complication of radial artery catheterization in infants.
  • To add to the limited existing literature on this specific complication.

Main Methods:

  • Case series reporting on three infants experiencing digital ischemia after radial artery catheterization.
  • Review of the English literature for previously reported cases.

Main Results:

  • Three new cases of digital ischemia following radial artery catheterization in infants are presented.
  • One patient experienced fingertip necrosis affecting multiple fingers.
  • Two patients required amputation due to severe ischemia.

Conclusions:

  • Digital ischemia is a rare but severe complication of radial artery catheterization in infants.
  • This series underscores the importance of recognizing and managing this risk in pediatric patients.

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