[Improvement of the tolerance of prolonged catheterization of radial artery].

The incidence of thrombosis of the radial artery after long-term cannulation was evaluated in 84 patients randomly divided into two matched groups: polyethylene catheters were used in group A for a mean period of 9 +/- 1 days, and teflon catheters were used in group B for a mean period of 11 +/- 1 days. Thrombosis was diagnosed by bedside arteriography. Its incidence was 79% in group A and 9% only in group B. (p less than 0.001). It is concluded that the safety of radial artery cannulation is increased by using short teflon catheters.