Cerebral Air Embolism after Removal of Subclavian Venous Catheter: A case report

ABSTRACT

We experienced a patient who developed a cerebral air embolism after subclavian venous catheter removal. The patient underwent gastric antrectomy under impression of gastric cancer. After surgery, right subclavian venous catheter was removed while the patient was kept in supine position for 15 minutes. When he changed to sitting position, he became agitated and O2 saturation was dropped to 72%. Im-mediately 100% O2 was administered via air mask. Computed tomography of brain showed multiple focal air densities in the cerebral vessels. Three days after the event, he slowly regained consciousness with persistent left hemipareis. After rehabilitation, he was able to walk with quadcane and gained functional improvement.