James E Barone1, Robert V Madlinger. 1. Department of Surgery, Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York 10451, USA. james.barone@nychhc.org
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study aims to determine the current status of the Allen test for assessing the circulation of the hand. METHODS: The Ovid electronic database was searched using multiple search terms and keywords. Bibliographies of pertinent articles were examined. Data involving results of Allen tests, criteria for abnormality and outcomes, specifically those related to adverse events, were extracted. RESULTS: The criteria for an abnormal Allen test are not agreed upon. The significance of an equivocal or abnormal test is unclear. The test is not accurate in predicting postcannulation hand ischemia. Results of the test suffer from poor interrater reliability. Most critically ill patients cannot cooperate for the performance of the test as described. CONCLUSIONS: Performance of an Allen test before radial artery cannulation should not be considered a "standard of care."
BACKGROUND: This study aims to determine the current status of the Allen test for assessing the circulation of the hand. METHODS: The Ovid electronic database was searched using multiple search terms and keywords. Bibliographies of pertinent articles were examined. Data involving results of Allen tests, criteria for abnormality and outcomes, specifically those related to adverse events, were extracted. RESULTS: The criteria for an abnormal Allen test are not agreed upon. The significance of an equivocal or abnormal test is unclear. The test is not accurate in predicting postcannulation hand ischemia. Results of the test suffer from poor interrater reliability. Most critically illpatients cannot cooperate for the performance of the test as described. CONCLUSIONS: Performance of an Allen test before radial artery cannulation should not be considered a "standard of care."
Authors: Bruno Georg Oertel; Johannes Vermehren; Michael Zimmermann; Thomas Tao Huynh; Alexandra Doehring; Nerea Ferreiros; Stephan Senzel; Thomas Schmitz-Rixen; Matthias Erbe; Gerd Geisslinger; Sebastian Harder; Martin S Angst; Jörn Lötsch Journal: Clin Pharmacokinet Date: 2012-10-01 Impact factor: 6.447
Authors: Roosevelt Santos Nunes; Camila Mussolin Tamaki; Heloisa Helena Robles Penha; Julia Carvalho Mafra Terra; Geraldo Luiz de Figueiredo; Gil Cezar Alkmin Teixeira Journal: Rev Bras Ter Intensiva Date: 2020-05-08