Wound hematoma after radial artery harvest caused by digital blood pressure monitoring cuff.

An 85-year-old male developed a hematoma over his radial artery harvest scar 6 weeks after coronary artery bypass grafting. This occurred immediately after his blood pressure was checked using a digital blood pressure monitor with the cuff applied to his left arm. The swelling resolved over the next 5 months. We recommend that patients who have undergone radial artery harvest should have their blood pressure monitored using only the contralateral arm for at least the first 3-6 months after surgery to avoid potential vascular complications.