Table 3

Complications following axillary artery cannulation

Reference

Cases

Permanent ischaemic damage (n)

Temporary occlusion (n)

Sepsis (n)

Local infection (n)

Pseudoaneurysm (n)

Haematoma (n)

Bleeding (n)


[58]*

1000

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

[58]*

245

0

1

0

-

-

-

6

[59]

120

0

1

0

3

-

4

-

[60]

435

2

9

3

7

-

4

3

[54]

28

0

-

0

1

-

3

-

[61]

31

0

-

0

-

-

1

1

[55]

130

0

0

2

5

-

5

-

Mean incidence (%)

0.20 (2/989)

1.18 (11/930)

0.51 (5/989)

2.24 (16/713)

0.1 (1/1000)

2.28 (17/744)

1.41 (10/711)


The total number of cannulations was 1989. * One study examining two different populations. -, Not investigated.

Scheer et al. Critical Care 2002 6:199   doi:10.1186/cc1489