Regional to the Rescue! Axillary Brachial Plexus Nerve Block Facilitates Removal of Entrapped Transradial Catheter Placed for Cardiac Catheterization.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to describe the first reported use of an axillary brachial plexus block to treat the entrapment of a transradial artery catheter due to vasospasm. CASE REPORT: A 42-year-old man undergoing transradial arterial cardiac catheterization suffered arterial vasospasm causing the catheter to become entrapped and refractory to conservative (warm compresses) and standard pharmacologic interventions (intracatheter verapamil, intravenous infusions of nitroglycerin and nicardipine, and subcutaneous lidocaine and topical nitroglycerin). Anesthesia was consulted, and attempts at catheter removal under monitored anesthesia and general anesthesia failed. Finally, in order to avoid surgical intervention, an ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus block with mepivacaine was performed, resulting in easy removal of the catheter.
CONCLUSIONS: Axillary brachial plexus nerve blocks are an effective, efficient, and safe intervention with a wide range of indications. This case report demonstrates that an axillary nerve block can be used to treat the entrapment of a transradial artery catheter due to vasospasm.