Ultrasound-guided infraclavicular block in an anticoagulated and anesthetized patient.

The author describes the use of ultrasound to facilitate a continuous infraclavicular brachial plexus block in a patient who had been anticoagulated with 5000 U of heparin. The procedure was done 2 h after the patient was anticoagulated, and his activated clotting time was 203 s. The patient had vascular checks with a laser Doppler monitor every hour and neurological checks every 12 h.