Journal of Vascular Nursing
Volume 27, Issue 4 , Pages 107-108, December 2009

Incidental catheterization of a radical arterial branch during vascular cannulation: A case report

Assistant Professor in Nurse Anesthesiology. National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Faculty of Nursing. Head Nurse in Nurse Anaesthesia Department, Evgenidion University Hospital; Captain Theatre Nurse, 251 Hellenic Air force Hospital; Major Neurosurgeon, 401 Hellenic Army Hospital; Anaesthesiologist, Evgenidion University Hospital; ICU Nurse, Penteli Children's Hospital; Nurse Anaesthesia Department, Evgenidion University Hospital; Nurse Anaesthesia Department, Nikea Hospital; Lecturer in Anatomy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Faculty of Nursing; Vascular Surgeon, Evgenidion University Hospital

This articles presents a rare case of accidental insertion of an intravascular catheter into an artery by an experienced nurse (RN). Due to the patient's hypotension, this faulty positioning was misdiagnosed and a potential peripheral ischemic necrosis was, fortunately, avoided only because the anesthesia drug injection was performed through another vein. Clinical signs were also present but were also underestimated. After intra-arterial confirmation of the incorrect position, the catheter was subsequently removed. No further complications were observed.

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PII: S1062-0303(09)00105-8

doi:10.1016/j.jvn.2009.09.005

Journal of Vascular Nursing
Volume 27, Issue 4 , Pages 107-108, December 2009