Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Radial catheterization contraindication
Introduction
Relative Contraindications
- Absence of palpable radial artery pulse
- Abnormal Allen test (oximetry/ plethysmography), indicating that only one artery supplies the hand
- Presence of upper extremity peripheral vascular disease such as Buerger’s disease and severe Raynaud’s disease
- Presence of arteriovenous shunt for dialysis
- Potential use of the radial artery as a conduit for aortocoronary bypass
- Cellulitis or other infections over the radial artery
- Coagulation defects
- Patients who may require intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation (IABP)
- Devices that are not compatible in 7F or smaller sheaths such as TEC, larger Rotoblator burrs, certain stents
- Congenital abnormalities of upper limb vasculature such as extreme tortuosity, anomalous take off of the radial artery, or severe atherosclerosis
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]