ISSN : 1301-5680
e-ISSN : 2149-8156
Turkish Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery     
Allen test in evaluation of the effects of radial artery catheters
Caner Arslan1, Emir Cantürk1, Bekir Kayhan1, Mehmet Şeker2, Adeviye Gökoğlu2, Levent Kaplan3
1TDV 29 Mayıs Hastanesi, Kalp ve Damar Cerrahisi Kliniği, İstanbul
2TDV 29 Mayıs Hastanesi, Radyoloji Bölümü, İstanbul
3TDV 29 Mayıs Hastanesi, Anestezi ve Reanimasyon Bölümü, İstanbul
Ba­ckgro­und: Insertion of an arterial catheter for pressure monitoring is a routine part of anesthetic management for cardiac surgery. We investigated the efficacy of the Allen test in evaluation of the effects of catheter insertion into the radial artery on arterial patency and the hand circulation.

Metho­ds: Hand circulations in 50 patients (39 males, 11 females; mean age 56; range 27 to 75 years) who had undergone cardiac surgery, were evaluated with Allen test and doppler ultrasound preoperatively and 10 days after decannulation. Volume of flow of radial artery at snuff-box was measured.

Results: Although a mean 23% decrease in the flow rate was observed in nine of 50 patients (18%), Allen’s tests did not changed. No hand ischemia was seen, because radial and ulnar artery flow was sufficient.

Co­nclusio­n: Allen’s test showing efficient ulnar artery flow is enough for safety of hand circulation in patients whose radial arteries were cannulated.

Keywords : Arm/blood supply; catheterization; radial artery/ transplantation
Viewed : 15582
Downloaded : 5935