Wrist circumference predicts the risk of radial-arterial occlusion after cannulation

Abstract

Occlusive radial-artery thrombi developed in 35 patients following percutaneous cannulation. Fifty-two patients had wrist circumferences measuring less than 18 cm, and these sustained a 47% incidence of arterial occlusion. This was significantly different (P<0.5) from the 21% incidence of occlusion that occurred in the 48 patients with wrist circumferences of 18 cm or more. A negative linear relationship (r=-.98) was found between the incidence of post-cannulation radial-artery occlusion and the patients' wrist circumferences. Confirming previous observations that cannulation causes more occlusive lesions in smaller radial arteries than in larger ones, we also found a negative linear relationship between the sizes of the cannulated vessels and the incidence of thrombosis.