Complications of arterial puncture in anticoagulated patients.

Thirteen patients who were receiving heparin in therapeutic doses had complications after femoral or brachial arterial puncture as follows: hematomas resulting in skin slough or infection in two, neuropathies of the median nerve in two and of the femoral nerve in two, and ischemia of the forearm muscles in seven. Since arterial puncture to determine blood gases in patients anticoagulated for pulmonary emboli can be dangerous, alternate means to establish the diagnosis are recommended. Early recognition and treatment of complications are essential.