• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.34-37
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• 2020

Cerebral air embolism combined with cardiomyopathy secondary to pulmonary barotrauma is rare. Here, we report an unusual case of cerebral air embolism combined with transient cardiomyopathy secondary to large bulla rupture during a pulmonary function test after lung cancer surgery. The patient experienced loss of consciousness. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging suggested a cerebral air embolism. Electrocardiography showed ST-segment elevation and abnormally high plasma levels of cardiac enzymes. Echocardiography and coronary angiography suggested cardiomyopathy. The patient was discharged with no sequelae.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.74 no.6
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• pp.286-290
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• 2013

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.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.70-74
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• 2019

Cerebral air embolism (CAE) is a rare complication of various medical procedures. It manifests with symptoms similar to those of typical acute cerebral infarction, however the treatment is quite different. We present a case of arterial CAE that was associated with a disconnected central venous catheter and appeared as punctate dark signal intensities with aliasing artifacts on the susceptibility-weighted filtered phase magnetic resonance image. The susceptibility-weighted filtered phase image can be helpful for diagnosing CAE and the magnetic resonance imaging reflects the pathophysiology of CAE.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.178-182
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• 2007

A venous air embolism is a complication of various venous access procedures such as contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT). Although most cases of iatrogenic venous air embolisms during CECT involve a few milliliters of air and are asymptomatic, a massive venous air embolism can be fatal. We report a case of a massive intraventricular air embolism after CECT with a review of the literature regarding the pathophysiology and treatment of air embolisms.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.57-60
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• 2008

A fifty-seven year old female patient visited the emergency department with tachypnea and a decreased mental status. The patient had been receiving fluid therapy at home and a bolus of air was injected into the fluid bottle in order to increase the infusion speed. Chest computed tomography revealed air in the left brachiocephalic vein that was accompanied with pulmonary edema the diagnosis of venous air embolism was made. Venous air embolism can result from various procedures that are performed in almost all clinical specialties and they can be fatal in cases of massive air embolism. Therefore, it is important for all clinicians to be aware of this problem.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.11
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• pp.834-838
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• 2003

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.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.298-302
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• 2010

Extracorporeal circulation support system is a device for repiratory and heart failure treatment, and there have been many trials for development and clinical application in the world. These devices need to be careful while using is air embolism. Air embolism can be a lethal complication of surgical procedures during which venous pressure at the site of surgery is sub-atmospheric or air is forced under pressure into a body cavity or using extracorporeal circulation support system. To solve the problem, we developed the air detector using relative dielectric constant change. In experiments with a mock circulation system, the proposed system showed a signal difference depending on the amount of air in the tube.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.384-388
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• 2007

Air embolism can be a lethal complication of surgical procedures during which venous pressure at the site of surgery is sub-atmospheric or air is forced under pressure into a body cavity. To solve the problem, we developed the air detector using relative dielectric constant change, which is expected to be used broadly in industrial circles. We designed a detection circuit of sensing scheme. In experiments with a mock system, the proposed system showed a signal difference depending on the amount of air in the tygon tube of the mock system.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.864-870
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• 2010

Air embolism can be a lethal complication of surgical procedures during which venous pressure at the site of surgery is sub-atmospheric or air is forced under pressure into a body cavity. To solve the problem, we developed the air detector using relative dielectric constant change, which is expected to be used broadly in industrial circles. We designed air detection system with air control equipment, detection circuit and LabVIEW system for air sensing. In experiments with a mock system, the proposed system showed a signal difference depending on the amount of air in the Tygon tube of the mock system.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.480-483
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• 2004

CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy is a common procedure for the evaluation of pulmonary and mediastinal lesions. The most frequent complications include pneumothorax, hemorrhage, and hemoptysis. Air embolism, and especially cerebral embolism, is a rare but potentially fatal complication after this procedure. Here, we report on a case of cerebral air embolism that occurred after CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy for the peripheral lung mass.