Intravascular monitoring via the axillary artery

Axillary artery cannulation was performed in 31 patients in whom the radial arteries were unavailable or unsuitable for cannulation. The artery was first cannulated with an 18-gauge needle, after which a Seldinger guide wire (0.032-inch diameter) was passed, which was used to introduce a 6-inch, 18-gauge Teflon catheter. The mean duration of cannulation was 3.2 days (range 19 hours to 8 days). All patients were assessed for complications of the procedure up to 72 hours after decannulation. No serious complications were encountered. It is concluded that the axillary artery is a safe alternative in the absence of an available radial artery when arterial cannulation is indicated.