Cannulation of the radial and dorsalis pedis arteries.

The complications inherent in cannulation of the radial (group I) and dorsalis pedis (group II) arteries were studied in 46 patients. All the local and systemic variables which might be considered to contribute to damage of the artery were studied, from which it appeared that only the duration of cannulation, prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time were significant in determining post-cannulation blood flow. A 20-gauge Teflon cannula was used in all patients and velocity of flow measured with a Doppler velocimeter probe. A majority of arteries showed a reduction of flow velocity for 24-72 h after the removal of the cannula, with evidence of improvement at 120 h. In six arteries--three in each group--flow ceased altogether after 24-72 h. No disability of either hand or foot resulted.