[Ischemia of the hand following radial artery catheterization].

A 26 year old women with a history of drug intoxication was taken to intensive care unit and had an ischemic, hand injury due to insufficient collateral low after placement of a radial artery catheter. Ischemic hand injury 1 occurred 36 hours after the cannulation. The patient had fingers gangrene in spite of the removal of the catheter, elevation and heating of the hand, systemic anticoagulation therapy, stellate ganglion blockade, and peripheral circulatory regulator therapy. Any evidence of hand ischemia after radial artery cannulation should be aggressively investigated and promptly treated in order to prevent morbidity and necrosis of the hand. Key Words: Radial artery cannulation, Ischemic hand injury.