Sterile abscess formation as a complication of hydrophilic radial artery cannulation.

A sterile inflammatory response has been observed at the access site in a small number of patients who have undergone radial artery cannulation with a hydrophilic sheath. This reaction generally appears from several days to weeks after use of the sheath, and while a distinct cause has not been established it is not thought to be due to infection. This particular risk of use of hydrophilic radial sheaths must therefore be weighed against its potential benefits.