(BMJ) – A post-op patient admitted to the ICU complained of acute pain and paresthesia in the first 3 digits of her left hand seconds after aspiration of blood for ABG from a radial artery catheter. What is the diagnosis?
Vitiligo
Arterial air embolism
Frostbite
Raynaud phenomenon
Buerger disease
You are correct. This patient acquired an arterial air embolism during radial artery catheterization during arterial blood gas analysis. The nurse immediately noticed that air had been entrained in the tubing and removed the line promptly. The patient’s signs and symptoms resolved spontaneously within a few minutes.