Abstract

Radial artery is frequently chosen for cannulation. Although the method is safe and simple, it can infrequently lead to tissue necrosis. This is a report of one case of amputation due to thumb necrosis developed from the radial artery cannulation in a patient who had open heart surgery. This is a 65 years old female who received a graft interposition of ascending aorta due to dissecting aortic aneurysm. Left radial artery cannulation was carried out after modified Allen's test appeared to be positive. On the 11 th postoperative days, we found that the catheter of left hand was obstructed, and we removed the catheter. On the 9 hrs after removal of catheter, thumb of left hand became color change and edematous with blister. On the 14 th days after removal of catheter, thumb of left hand became worsened to dusky purple to dark color change and pulseless, coldness. On the 20 th days after removal of catheter, amputation of thumb of left hand was performed.