Septic emboli from a radial artery catheter with local manifestations of subacute bacterial endocarditis

Abstract

Septic emboli, giving rise to physical signs similar to those of subacute bacterial endocarditis, are extremely rare complications of radial artery catheterization. A case is reported with splinter hemorrhages and Janeway lesions, resulting from an infected radial artery catheter. Five other cases with these signs are collected from among 21 patients with localized septic complications described in the literature. The duration of radial artery catheterization was 4 days or longer in all cases, and Staphylococcus aureus was the offending agent in all. We conclude that arterial lines should be removed as early as possible, and in any case they should be pulled out at the earliest sign of a local complication. In the presence of signs of local infection, antistaphylococcal treatment should be given until results of cultures are available.

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“…Minor complications such as haematoma formation or bleeding at the puncture site are also shown in Table 1 . Other complications include abscess, cellulitis, paralysis of the median nerve [ 37 , 38 , 39 ], suppurative thrombarteritis [ 40 ], air embolism [ 41 ], compartment syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome [ 42 , 43 , 44 ]. Other rarely reported complications include catheter failure as result of manufacturing defect or incorrect use with resultant catheter replacement [ 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ].…”

Radial Artery Cannulation: A Review Article

“…Rare complications include paralysis of the median nerve [38][39][40] air embolism [41], compartment syndrome, and carpal tunnel syndrome [42][43][44]. Rarely, intravascular catheter fragments have occurred [45][46][47][48].…”