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Complications

Although patients with severe coagulopathy are at higher risk for bleeding complications, no clear evidence exists on the safety of arterial puncture in the setting of coagulopathy. In patients with coagulopathy, careful evaluation of the need for ABG sampling is recommended (Chernecky and Berger [32], Danckers and Fried [41], Pagana and Pagana [177]).
Complications of ABG sampling include the following:
  • local haematoma
  • artery vasospasm
  • arterial occlusion
  • air or thrombus embolism
  • local anaesthetic anaphylactic reaction
  • infection of the puncture site
  • needle stick injury to healthcare personnel
  • vessel laceration
  • vasovagal response
  • haemorrhage
  • local pain (Chernecky and Berger [32], Danckers and Fried [41], Pagana and Pagana [177]).
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