Critical upper limb ischemia due to thrombus in the right subclavian artery: An uncommon complication of right internal jugular vein cannulation.

Abstract

Internal jugular catheterization is associated with arterial puncture in 6.3–9.4% of cases and subclavian artery (SCA) injuries are probably underreported. Several complications like hemothorax, delayed presentation of hemomediastinum due to SCA injury have been reported. We report a case of critical upper limb ischemia due to SCA thrombosis developing a few hours after a difficult right internal jugular vein cannulation without any evidence of initial arterial injury with the finder or introducer needle and which was successfully treated by surgical thrombectomy.