What can intra-arterial injection result in?

Intra-arterial injection can lead to severe complications because the introduction of anesthetic or other agents directly into an artery can cause significant damage to the vascular system. This damage can lead to ischemia—the loss of blood flow to the tissues downstream from the injection site—resulting in tissue necrosis. In extreme cases, if the blood supply to a limb is compromised, it may necessitate amputation to prevent further systemic complications or infections.

The risks associated with intra-arterial injections are considerably higher than with intramuscular or intravenous injections. Unlike those routes, where the agent is absorbed quickly and dispersed throughout the body, intra-arterial injections can cause localized high concentrations of drug, leading to toxic effects on the vascular endothelium and surrounding tissues. This highlights why the understanding and appropriate handling of intra-arterial injection techniques are critical in anesthesia practice to avoid these severe outcomes.