Adverse event management: cerebral air embolism associated to removal of a central venous catheter. Case report

Authors

  • Jaime Abengózar Gálvez 2nd year resident intern, Fundación Alcorcón University Hospital, Anesthesiology and Resuscitation Service, Madrid, Spain.
  • Sara García Zamorano Medical doctor, Fundación Alcorcón University Hospital, Anesthesiology and Resuscitation Service, Madrid, Spain.
  • Daniel Arnal Velasco Medical doctor, Fundación Alcorcón University Hospital, Anesthesiology and Resuscitation Service, Madrid, Spain.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30445/rear.v16i1.1180

Keywords:

Aderse event, cerebral air embolism, central venous catheter

Abstract

Air embolism is a rare, potentially fatal complication and often difficult to diagnose, which is frequently related to invasive iatrogenic procedures. We report a case of adverse event that led to a paradoxical cerebral air embolism after removal of a central venous catheter in a sitting position in a 73-year-old woman in the postoperative period of a left percutaneous nephrostomy that presents low level of consciousness, respiratory failure and seizures. After support treatment and mechanical ventilation, the patient evolves favorably. Likewise, the institutional protocol for adverse event was activated.

References

- Jorens PG, van Marck E, Snoeckx A, Parizel PM. Nonthrombotic pulmonary embolism. Eur Respir J 2009;34:452–74. https://doi.org/10.1183/09031936.00141708.

- Caulfield AF, Lansberg MG, Marks MP, Albers GW, Wijman CAC. MRI characteristics of cerebral air embolism from a venous source. Neurology 2006;66:945–6. https://doi.org/10.1212/01.WNL.0000203117.20406.EB.

- Pinho J, Amorim JM, Araújo JM, Vilaça H, Ribeiro M, Pereira J, et al. Cerebral gas embolism associated with central venous catheter: Systematic review. J Neurol Sci 2016;362:160–4. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JNS.2016.01.043.

- Blanc P, Boussuges A, Henriette K, Sainty J, Deleflie M. Iatrogenic cerebral air embolism: importance of an early hyperbaric oxygenation. Intensive Care Med 2002;28:559–63. https://doi.org/10.1007/S00134-002-1255-0.

- Heckmann JG, Lang CJG, Kindler K, Huk W, Erbguth FJ, Neundörfer B. Neurologic manifestations of cerebral air embolism as a complication of central venous catheterization. Crit Care Med 2000;28:1621–5. https://doi.org/10.1097/00003246-200005000-00061.

- Van Hulst RA, Klein J, Lachmann B. Gas embolism: pathophysiology and treatment. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging 2003;23:237–46. https://doi.org/10.1046/J.1475-097X.2003.00505.X.

- Recomendaciones para la respuesta institucional a un evento adverso. Revista de Calidad Asistencial 2016;31:42–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CALI.2015.07.001.

Published

2024-02-06

How to Cite

Abengózar Gálvez, J., García Zamorano, S., & Arnal Velasco, D. (2024). Adverse event management: cerebral air embolism associated to removal of a central venous catheter. Case report . Revista Electrónica AnestesiaR, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.30445/rear.v16i1.1180

Most read articles by the same author(s)

<< < 1 2 3