Risk factors for accidental intra-arterial drug injection:
(1) critical care
(2) morbid obesity
(3) darkly pigmented skin
(4) presence of an intra-arterial catheter
(5) thoracic outlet syndrome (with loss of pulse in the radial artery)
(6) pre-existing vascular anomaly of the forearm
(7) uncooperative patient during the cannulation
(8) untrained or inattentive person performing the injection or cannulation
Patients unable to report pain or initial symptoms following an intra-arterial injection, thereby allowing an infusion to continue:
(1) comatose or depressed level of consciousness
(2) sedated or general anesthesia
(3) mentally handicapped
(4) infant or young child
(5) trauma victim with distracting injuries and/or high doses of opioids
