Arterial puncture

An arterial puncture is when a needle is inserted into an artery rather than a vein.

This rarely happens and our nurses are trained to deal with this complication. However, it is important that if there are any changes in your symptoms you follow the advice on this page.

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

  • bleeding has restarted
  • swelling that is large or increasing in size
  • bruising that is large or increasing in size
  • numbness or pins and needles in the arm, hand or fingers
  • severe or worsening pain
  • coldness or paleness of the lower arm, or hand of the affected arm

Follow these steps:

  1. Raise your arm and apply firm pressure
  2. Go immediately to the Accident and Emergency department at your nearest hospital, ask someone to take you or dial 999
  3. Show the A&E doctor the letter in the leaflet you'll have been given at your donation session - it will look like this arterial puncture leaflet (PDF 128KB)
  4. Continue to raise your arm and apply firm pressure over the site of needle entry on your way to hospital

You must not use this arm to donate blood in the future.

Bruising

It is likely that a bruise will appear after an arterial puncture. The bruise may look dramatic and some people can find this worrying, especially if it appears away from the donation area.

Bruises will disappear with time, but this may take several weeks. It is normal for bruises to spread out before fading. If you do experience a bruise, follow our bruising advice.

Further information

If you are worried or require further information you can ring our donor helpline on:

0300 123 23 23