Ruptured infected pseudoaneurysm of the left radial artery: a rare complication of arterial cannulation

The placement and maintenance of an arterial catheter is common in critically ill patients. Among uncommon complications of radial artery cannulation is ruptured pseudoaneurysm which may lead to considerable morbidity. Local infection and arteriosclerosis are the possible etiology factors of pseudoaneurysm. Those patients with persistent local skin infection for more than 24 hours despite antibiotic treatment or after removal of the catheter have a higher risk of pseudoaneurysm rupture. We report a rare case of ruptured, infected pseudoaneurysm of the radial artery in a ventilated old lady. The clinical presentation, and it management, along with a review of the literature are presented