Radial artery pseudoaneurysm in the intensive care unit.

Pseudoaneurysms may occur at the wrist after catheterization of the radial artery but may also occur after arteriovenous shunting for dialysis or after direct trauma to an artery. Radial artery pseudoaneurysms are being increasingly reported because of widespread use of invasive monitoring. We report a case of radial artery pseudoaneurysm at the wrist related to catheterization. The pseudoaneurysm thrombosed after 6 days of external compression. In selected cases, extended external compression is a useful therapeutic option, especially in patients who are medically unfit to undergo general anesthesia or operative treatment.