A 45-year-old man on ICU develops acute limb ischaemia of his left arm. He has a radial arterial line in the left wrist. The hand is pale, pulseless, ...

Question

A 45-year-old man on ICU develops acute limb ischaemia of his left arm. He has a radial arterial line in the left wrist. The hand is pale, pulseless, and painful. Doppler signals are absent distal to the wrist. What is the most important immediate action?

Accepted Answer

Remove the arterial line immediately and commence IV heparin; urgent vascular surgery review

Answer

Flush the arterial line with heparinised saline

Answer

Apply warm compresses and wait

Answer

Elevate the arm

Answer

Start IV GTN to vasodilate

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Arterial Line Complication

A 45-year-old man on ICU develops acute limb ischaemia of his left arm. He has a radial arterial line in the left wrist. The hand is pale, pulseless, and painful. Doppler signals are absent distal to the wrist. What is the most important immediate action?