Does Radial Artery Cannulation Affect the Perfusion of the Dominant Hand in Adult Patients with Normal Modified Allen's Test Undergoing Cardiac Surgeries? Data Derived from the Peripheral Perfusion Index.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of radial artery cannulation on hand perfusion in patients with normal modified Allen's test undergoing cardiac surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

DESIGN

Prospective follow-up study.

SETTING

Single institution, Assiut University Cardiothoracic Hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-nine patients who underwent cardiac surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass were enrolled.

INTERVENTIONS: Cannulation of radial artery in the dominant hand using a 20-gauge catheter.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN

RESULTS

The primary outcomes were the mean peripheral perfusion index (PPI) >60 seconds (mean PPI60) and the thumb temperature, which were measured at different times before and during the surgery. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean PPI60 between both hands (p = 0.033). Before skin incision, the mean PPI60 was significantly higher in the noncannulated hand (p < 0.001). Also, there was a statistically significant difference in the thumb temperature between both hands (p = 0.013). At low core body temperature, the thumb temperature was significantly lower in the noncannulated hand (p = 0.017).

CONCLUSIONS

In adult patients undergoing cardiac surgeries using CPB, even with normal modified Allen's test, radial artery cannulation may affect the perfusion of the dominant hand, especially at low arterial blood pressure or low core body temperature. Since the PPI is one of the noninvasive methods used for intraoperative assessment of the peripheral perfusion, the authors recommend the use of the noncannulated hand for this purpose to not misguide this assessment.