Ataque isquémico transitorio por embolia aérea iatrogénica secundaria a inyecciones intracavernosas en procedimiento urológico / Transient ischemic attack due to iatrogenic air embolism secondary to intracavernous injections during an urologic procedure

RESUMEN Se presenta un caso de ataque isquémico transitorio con sintomatología compatible con lesión de la circulación cerebral posterior, secundario a embolia aérea iatrogénica. Se describe la evolución clínica y las consideraciones más relevantes de la atención y el diagnóstico del ataque cerebrovascular de la circulación posterior. En cuanto a la embolia gaseosa, se describen los métodos diagnósticos, las intervenciones clínicas y las opciones de tratamiento disponibles.

SUMMARY Here ia a case of transient ischemic attack with symptoms compatible with injury to the posterior cerebral circulation, secondary to iatrogenic air embolism. Clinical evolution and the most relevant aspects for the care and diagnosis of cerebrovascular stroke of the posterior circulation are described. Regarding air embolism, the diagnostic methods, clinical interventions, and available treatment options are described.

Status epilepticus due to cerebral air embolism after the Valsalva maneuver

BACKGROUND: Cerebral air embolism is uncommon but potentially causes catastrophic events such as cardiac damage or even death. However, due to a low overall incidence, it may go undiagnosed. CASE REPORT: A 56-year-old man with a medical history of right upper lobectomy due to lung cancer showed changes in mental status after the Valsalva maneuver, followed by status epilepticus during admission. Brain and chest computed tomography showed cerebral air embolism and accidental pneumothorax in the right major fissure. After antiepileptic drug infusion and oxygen therapy, he recovered completely. CONCLUSION: Since cerebral air embolism may result in fatal outcomes, it should be suspected in patients with sudden neurological deterioration after routine medical procedures.

Air Embolism during Upper Endoscopy: A Case Report

Air embolism is a rare complication of upper endoscopy and potentially causes life-threatening events. A 67-year-old man with a history of surgery of cardiac carcinoma and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor underwent painless upper endoscopy because of tarry stools. During the procedure, air embolism developed, which caused decreased pulse oxygen saturation and delayed sedation recovery. He recovered with some weakness of the left upper limb in the intensive care unit without hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The etiology, clinical manifestations, and treatments of air embolism are discussed based on the literature reports. Although air embolism is uncommon in endoscopic examinations, the patients’ outcomes could be improved if clinicians are alert to this potential complication, and promptly start proper diagnostic and therapeutic measures.

Application of regional hepatic in-and outflow occlusion for laparoscopic left hemi-hepatectomy / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective To evaluate regional left sided in and out flow hepatic flow occlusion in laparoscopic left hemi-hepatectomy compared with in hepatic flow occlusion.Methods From Jan.2016 to Dec.2017,34 patients underwent laparoscopic left hemi-hepatectomy with regional hepatic in-out flow occlusion.Results were compared with 52 patients undergoing laparoscopic left hemi-hepatectomy under leftsided hepatic inflow occlusion only.Results Compared to hepatic inflow occlusion,regional hepatic in and out flow occlusion in laparoscopic left hemi-hepatectomy lead to a 0.46 hour longer operation time,20 ml less intraoperative blood loss and 0.62U less blood transfusion,reduced hepatic function impairment and 1.41 days shorter hospital stay.Conclusions Regional hepatic in-out flow occlusion in laparoscopic left hemi-hepatectomy can reduce intraoperative hemorrhage and lower the risk of CO2 embolism.

Two Cases of Cerebral Air Embolism That Occurred during Esophageal Ballooning and Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography

Cerebral air embolism is an extremely rare complication of endoscopic procedure and often life threatening. We present two cases of cerebral infarction due to air embolization caused by an endoscopic intervention. The first case occurred during esophageal balloon dilatation for the treatment of a stricture of an anastomosis site in a 59-year-old man and the second case occurred during endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation in a 69-year-old man who had distal common bile duct stones. After the procedure, cardiopulmonary instability and altered mental status were observed in both patients, and cerebral air embolism was diagnosed in both cases. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was started in the first case, and high FiO2 therapy was applied in the second case. Although this complication is rare, patient outcomes can be improved if physicians are aware of this potential complication, and immediately begin proper management.

Embolismo aéreo venoso en neurocirugía / Venous air embolism in neurosurgery

Venous air embolism is a potentially serious neurosurgical complication. Every neurosurgical procedure is at risk of developing the condition but the sitting and semi-sitting position represent a higher risk. The neuroanesthesiologist plays a key role in the management of the venous air embolism, from diagnosis to treatment. This article reviews the literature on air embolism in terms of its incidence, etiology, diagnosis and therapy.

El embolismo aéreo venoso es una complicacion de neurocirugia que puede llegar a ser potencialmente seria. Todos los procedimientos neuroquirurgicos tienen riesgo de presentarlo, siendo las posiciones sentada y semisentada las que mayor riesgo conllevan. El neuroanestesiologo forma parte primordial en el manejo del embolismo aéreo venoso, desde su diagnostico hasta el tratamiento. Este articulo revisa la literatura relacionada conel embolismo aéreo en cuanto a incidencia, etiologia, diagnostico y terapéutica.

Fatal Cerebral Air Embolism Due to a Patent Foramen Ovale during Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography

Fatal air embolism to the cerebrum during an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has not been reported in a patient with a biliodigestive anastomosis and multiresistant extended-spectrum beta-lactamase Escherichia coli (ESBL) bacteremia. A 59-year-old woman with a history of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and iatrogenic injury of the right choledochal duct, choledochojejunostomy (biliodigestive anastomosis), recurrent cholangitis, revision of the biliodigestive anastomosis, recurrent liver abscesses, and recurrent stenting of stenotic bile ducts, was admitted because of fever and tenderness of the right upper quadrant. On ERCP, a previously deployed covered Wallstent was replaced. Blood cultures grew ESBL. After stent removal 8 days later, the patient did not wake up and developed arterial hypotension and respiratory insufficiency, requiring mechanical ventilation. Computed tomography scans showed extensive air embolism to the liver, heart, and cerebrum. She died 1 day later. Although the exact pathogenesis of the fatal cerebral air embolism remains speculative, the nonphysiological anatomy and chronic infection with ESBL may have been contributory factors.

Embolia gasosa venosa inadvertida durante cesariana: bolsas retráteis ​​para líquidos intravenosos sem saídas autovedantes oferecem riscos. Relato de caso / Inadvertent venous air embolism during cesarean section: collapsible intravenous fluid bags without self-sealing outlet have risks. Case report / Embolia gaseosa venosa inadvertida durante cesárea: bolsas retráctiles para líquidos intravenosos sin salida de autosellado ofrecen riesgos. Relato de caso

O anestesiologista deve estar ciente das causas, do diagnóstico e do tratamento de embolia venosa e adotar padrões de prática para prevenir sua ocorrência. Embora a embolia gasosa seja uma complicação conhecida da cesariana, descrevemos um caso raro de desatenção que causou embolia gasosa iatrogênica quase fatal durante uma cesariana sob raquianestesia. uma das razões para o uso de bolsas autorretráteis para infusão em vez dos frascos convencionais de vidro ou plástico é a precaução contra embolia gasosa. Também demonstramos o risco de embolia venosa com o uso de dois tipos de bolsas plásticas retráteis (à base de cloreto de polivinil [PVC] e de polipropileno) para líquidos intravenosos. As bolsas para líquidos sem saídas autovedantes apresentam risco de embolia gasosa se o sistema de fechamento estiver quebrado, enquanto a flexibilidade da bolsa limita a quantidade de entrada de ar. bolsas à base de pvc, que têm mais flexibilidade, apresentam risco significativamente menor de entrada de ar quando o equipo de administração intravenosa (IV) é desconectado da saída. usar uma bolsa pressurizada para infusão rápida sem verificar e esvaziar todo o ar da bolsa IV pode ser perigoso.

The anesthesiologist must be aware of the causes, diagnosis and treatment of venous air embolism and adopt the practice patterns to prevent its occurrence. Although venous air embolism is a known complication of cesarean section, we describe an unusual inattention that causes iatrogenic near fatal venous air embolism during a cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. One of the reasons for using self-collapsible intravenous (IV) infusion bags instead of conventional glass or plastic bottles is to take precaution against air embolism. We also demonstrated the risk of air embolism for two kinds of plastic collapsible intravenous fluid bags: polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polypropylene-based. Fluid bags without self-sealing outlets pose a risk for air embolism if the closed system is broken down, while the flexibility of the bag limits the amount of air entry. PVC-based bags, which have more flexibility, have signifi cantly less risk of air entry when IV administration set is disconnected from the outlet. Using a pressure bag for rapid infusion can be dangerous without checking and emptying all air from the IV bag.

El anestesiólogo debe de estar consciente de las causas, del diagnóstico y del tratamiento de la embolia venosa, y adoptar los estándares de práctica para prevenir su aparecimiento. Aunque la embolia gaseosa sea una complicación conocida de la cesárea, describimos aquí un caso raro de falta de atención que causó embolia gaseosa iatrogénica casi fatal durante una cesárea bajo raquianestesia. Una de las razones para el uso de bolsas autoretráctiles para infusión en vez de los frascos convencionales de vidrio o plástico, es la precaución contra la embolia gaseosa. También demostramos riesgo de embolia venosa con el uso de dos tipos de bolsas plásticas retráctiles (a base de cloruro de polivinil [PVC] y de polipropileno) para líquidos intravenosos. Las bolsas para líquidos sin salidas de autosellado, tienen un riesgo de embolia gaseosa si el sistema de cierre está roto, mientras la flexibilidad de la bolsa limita la cantidad de entrada de aire. Bolsas hechas a base de PVC, y que tienen más flexibilidad, también tienen un riesgo signifi cativamente menor de entrada de aire cuando el equipo de administración intravenosa (IV) se apaga en la salida. Usar una bolsa de presión para la infusión rápida sin verifi car y vaciar todo el aire de la bolsa IV puede ser peligroso.

Clinical study on echocardiography combined with end-tidal CO2 monitoring in preventing the venous air embolism during operative hysteroscopy / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective To explore the value of transthoracic echocardiography(TTE) combined with partial pressure of end-tidal CO2 (PETCO2) monitoring in preventing venous air embolism (VAE) during hysteroscopy operation.Methods From August 2010 to August 2012,300 cases undergoing hysteroscopic surgery under general anaesthesia were enrolled in this study.With the echocardiography combined with PETCO2 monitoring during hysteroscopic surgery,the time of VAE appearing in the right atrium,the extent of air embolism(grade 0-4),the changes of PET CO2,peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2),blood pressure (Bp),the amount of fluid intravasation and the blood loss were recorded in detail.Take the 24 cases that the grades of VAE in grade 3 or above and a decrease in PETCO2 ≥5 mm Hg (1 mm Hg =0.133 kPa) as intervention group.Stop operation immediately,the left side and raise your right shoulder,oxygen inhalation and dexamethasone 10 mg intravenous drip were given to the intervention group; the control group (5 cases in grade 3 or above and a decrease in PETCO2 ＜ 5 mm Hg) only stop operation immediately,observation patient's condition closely.Results (1) The occurrence of VAE:air embolism occurred in 34 patients among all 300 patients,all of 34 patients had evidence of gas embolism in the inferior vena cava,right atrium(RA) and right ventricle chamber,and 29 patients had evidence of continuous groups of gas emboli.There were 32 cases with the decrease in PETCO2 ＞ 2 mm Hg,14 cases with SpO2 less than 95％,and 4 cases with a drop in Bp ≥ 20％.(2) The change of the decrease of PET CO2 and the grades of VAE:the decrease of PETCO2 and the grades of VAE were positively correlated (r =0.601,P ＜ 0.01),continuous groups of gas emboli signal in RA,when the drop of PETCO2 ≥5 mm Hg,8 of the 34 cases whose drop of PETCO2 ≥ 10 mm Hg,7 cases in grades 4.The decrease of PET CO2 [(7.5 ± 2.4) mm Hg versus (11.1 ±4.1)mm Hg],the amount of fluid intravasation[(688 ± 150) ml versus (925 ±268) ml] and the blood loss [(71 ± 36) ml versus (127 ± 56) ml] all had statistical difference in grade 3 and 4 (P ＜ 0.05).The sensitivity of PETCO2 was better than SpO2 and Bp in detecting of VAE.(3)The cases of PETCO2 continue to decline and recovery time between the two groups:2 cases' PETCO2 continued to decline in the intervention group,but 4 cases in the control group.The recovery time of the two groups was(4.8 ± 1.6) and (8.3 ±1.9) min,respectively,which reached statistical difference between (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions TTE combined with PET CO2 monitoring can effectivelv predict the occurrence of air embolism in hysteroscopic surgery; Continuous groups of gas emboli signal in RA accompanied by a decrease in PETCO2 ≥5 mm Hgindicates that the occuTence of air embolism ; the more the amount of intravasation of distension fluid and the blood loss,the more the air into the body.Timely intewention can effectively prevent the development of air embolism when the VAE in grade 3 or above accompanied by a decrease in PETC02 ≥5 mm Hg.

A Cerebral Air Embolism after CT-Guided Percutaneous Transthoracic Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy of the Lung / 대한내과학회지

Low-dose thoracic computed tomography (CT) for the early diagnosis of lung cancer detects many solitary pulmonary nodules. Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the diagnostic method used most commonly in the diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodules. Cerebral air embolism is a rare, fatal complication of FNAB. Hyperbaric oxygenation therapy within 6 hours of the event ensures a good prognosis with cerebral air embolisms. We present a case of cerebral air embolism that occurred during CT-guided lung FNAB biopsy that was treated with hyperbaric oxygenation within 6 hours. The patient recovered completely from the neurological deficit and had a favorable long-term outcome.

Cerebral Air Embolism Following Pigtail Catheter Insertion for Pleural Fluid Drainage / 결핵및호흡기질환

Pigtail catheter drainage is a common procedure for the treatment of pleural effusion and pneumothorax. The most common complications of pigtail catheter insertion are pneumothorax, hemorrhage and chest pains. Cerebral air embolism is rare, but often fatal. In this paper, we report a case of cerebral air embolism in association with the insertion of a pigtail catheter for the drainage of a pleural effusion. A 67-year-old man is being presented with dyspnea, cough and right-side chest pains and was administered antibiotics for the treatment of pneumonia. The pneumonia failed to resolve and a loculated parapneumonic pleural effusion developed. A pigtail catheter was inserted in order to drain the pleural effusion, which resulted in cerebral air embolism. The patient was administered high-flow oxygen therapy and recovered without any neurologic complications.

Microembolia gasosa em operação cardíaca com uso de circulação extracorpórea: emprego de shunt venoarterial como método preventivo / Gaseous microemboli in cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass: the use of veno-arterial shunt as a preventive method

As complicações neurológicas representam importante causa de morbidade no período pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca e sua incidência alcança até 75% dos pacientes. Uma importante causa desses eventos é a formação de microbolhas na corrente sanguínea durante a circulação extracorpórea. Realizou-se revisão integrativa sobre microembolia gasosa na circulação extracorpórea. Esse trabalho analisou estudos com abordagens metodológicas diferentes, mas que contemplam o tema. O resultado sugere que a desnitrogenação do sangue causada pela hiperoxia dissolve microbolhas formadas no sangue e o shunt venoarterial pode equilibrar os parâmetros respiratórios alterados pela hiperoxia.

Neurological complications are an important cause of morbidity in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery and its incidence reaches up to 75% of patients. An important cause of these events is the formation of microbubbles in the bloodstream during cardiopulmonary bypass. Integrative review was carried out on gaseous microemboli in cardiopulmonary bypass. This study analyzed studies with different methodological approaches, but that address the issue. The result suggests the denitrogenation of blood by hyperoxia dissolved microbubbles in the blood and venoarterial shunt can balance the respiratory parameters changed with hyperoxia.

Massive Paradoxical Air Embolism in Brain Occurring after Central Venous Catheterization: A Case Report

Cerebral air embolism is a rare but fatal complication of central venous catheterization. Here, we report a case of paradoxical cerebral air embolism associated with central venous catheterization. An 85-yr-old man underwent right internal jugular vein catheterization, and became obtunded. Brain MR imaging and CT revealed acute infarction with multiple air bubbles on the side of catheter insertion. The possibility of cerebral air embolism should be considered in patients developing neurological impairment after central venous catheterization, and efforts should be made to limit cerebral damage.

Arterio-Venous Line Connection for Effective Intracardiac Deairing after Open Heart Surgery / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Deairing from the heart after open heart surgery(cardiopulmonary bypass) is a very important procedure. Artificial arteriovenous fistula was used to remove air, and the efficiency was evaluated by transesophageal echocardiography. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Just before termination of cardiopulmonary bypass, a standard pressure transducer line is connected between the stopcocks of the connections in the arterial and venous circuits, creating a small controlled arteriovenous fistula between the arterial and venous cannulas. The degree of intracardiac air and air removal time were evaluated either by transesophageal echocardiography or direct vision of pressure transducer line. RESULT: By simple procedure, cardiopulmonary time was shortened and air clearing can be confirmed using echocardiography in a few minutes. CONCLUSION: Creation of arteriovenous fistula using small connecting line between aortic and venous cannula is a very simple and effective method of deairing and preventing of air embolism after open heart surgery.

Does Heparin Reduce Neurologic Injury in Rabbits That Occurs From Air Emboli? / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Neurological injury after cerebral air embolism may be due to thromboinflammatory responses at sites of air-injured endothelium. Because heparin inhibits multiple thromboinflammatory processes. we hypothesized that heparin would decrease neurological impairment after cerebral air embolism. METHODS: Anesthetized rabbits received either heparin (n=14) or saline (n=13), 5 minutes before air injection (150 microliter/kg). Heparin was given as a 200 IU/kg bolus and followed by a constant infusion of 75 IU/kg/h for 2 hours. Equal volumes of salines were given to saline group. Two hours later, anesthesia was discontinued. Rabbits were neurologically evaluated 24 hours after air embolism. RESULTS: Heparin group had significantly less neurological impairment at 24 hours (34 14) than saline controls (52 8) (p=0.0013). CONCLUSIONS: When given prophylactically, heparin decreases neurological impairment caused by severe cerebral arterial air embolism.