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Fatal Cerebral Air Embolism: A Case Series and Literature Review
Joint Authors
Khaja, Misbahuddin
Mishra, Rashmi
Reddy, Pavithra
Source
Issue
Vol. 2016, Issue 2016 (31 Dec. 2016), pp.1-4, 4 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2016-08-21
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
4
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Cerebral air embolism (CAE) is an infrequently reported complication of routine medical procedures.
We present two cases of CAE.
The first patient was a 55-year-old male presenting with vomiting and loss of consciousness one day after his hemodialysis session.
Physical exam was significant for hypotension and hypoxia with no focal neurologic deficits.
Computed tomography (CT) scan of head showed gas in cerebral venous circulation.
The patient did not undergo any procedures prior to presentation, and his last hemodialysis session was uneventful.
Retrograde rise of venous air to the cerebral circulation was the likely mechanism for venous CAE.
The second patient was a 46-year-old female presenting with fever, shortness of breath, and hematemesis.
She was febrile, tachypneic, and tachycardic and required intubation and mechanical ventilation.
An orogastric tube inserted drained 2500 mL of bright red blood.
Flexible laryngoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy were performed.
She also underwent central venous catheter placement.
CT scan of head performed the next day due to absent brain stem reflexes revealed intravascular air within cerebral arteries.
A transthoracic echocardiogram with bubble study ruled out patent foramen ovale.
The patient had a paradoxical CAE in the absence of a patent foramen ovale.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Mishra, Rashmi& Reddy, Pavithra& Khaja, Misbahuddin. 2016. Fatal Cerebral Air Embolism: A Case Series and Literature Review. Case Reports in Critical Care،Vol. 2016, no. 2016, pp.1-4.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1100429
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Mishra, Rashmi…[et al.]. Fatal Cerebral Air Embolism: A Case Series and Literature Review. Case Reports in Critical Care No. 2016 (2016), pp.1-4.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1100429
American Medical Association (AMA)
Mishra, Rashmi& Reddy, Pavithra& Khaja, Misbahuddin. Fatal Cerebral Air Embolism: A Case Series and Literature Review. Case Reports in Critical Care. 2016. Vol. 2016, no. 2016, pp.1-4.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1100429
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1100429