Radial artery cannulation: influence of catheter size and material on arterial occlusion

A randomized, prospective trial of four different cannulae used for percutaneous radial artery cannulation was carried out in one hundred and forty-eight patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Arterial occlusion was assessed using a modified Allen's test and an ultrasonic flow monitor. The incidence of complete occlusion eight days after decannulation was 34% for 18-gauge polypropylene and 0% for 20-gauge Teflon cannulae. Both the size and material of the cannula are important factors in the occurrence of arterial occlusion. This complication can largely be eliminated by the use of small Teflon cannulae.