It is important to perform an Allen Test to confirm the patency of the ulnar artery because, with no collateral flow through the ulnar artery, radial artery puncture can result in a gangrenous finger or loss of the hand from spasm or clotting of the radial artery.
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An arterial line is usually inserted into the radial artery in the wrist, but can also be inserted into the brachial artery at the elbow, into the femoral artery in the groin, into the dorsalis pedis artery in the foot, or into the ulnar artery in the wrist.
