• P Lirk, C Keller, J Colvin, H Colvin, J Rieder, H Maurer, and B Moriggl.
• Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria. plirk@mcw.edu
• Br J Anaesth. 2004 May 1;92(5):740-2.

BackgroundThe cephalic antebrachial vein is often used for venous access. However, superficial radial arteries of the forearm are known and unintentional arterial puncture can result from attempts to cannulate the lateral veins of the arm.MethodsAccidental puncture of a superficial radial artery during peripheral venous cannulation prompted us to study the anatomy of 26 specimens and to assess the relationship between the radial artery and the cephalic vein in the forearm.ResultsIn two cases, we found accessory branches of the radial artery close to the cephalic forearm vein. Venous cannulation at the lateral wrist carries a small risk of arterial puncture if arterial anomalies are present.ConclusionsIf venous cannulation is attempted at the radial side of the wrist, palpation for pulsation should reduce the danger of arterial puncture.

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