Cerebral arterial air embolism: The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Marloes S. Geers; Simone van der Sar-van der Brugge; Anouk G.W. van Norden; Rob A. van Hulst; Ingrid C.F. De Backer

Cerebral arterial air embolism: The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Marloes S. Geers^*, Simone van der Sar-van der Brugge, Anouk G.W. van Norden, Rob A. van Hulst, Ingrid C.F. De Backer

^*Corresponding author for this work

Pulmonary Medicine

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Iatrogenic gas embolism is the presence of gas in vascular structures. Feared are those in coronary or cerebral arteries. These can result in cerebral or myocardial infarction.

CASE DESCRIPTION:

A 79-year-old female underwent CT-guided biopsy of the lung. Minutes later she developed neurological symptoms. After administration of oxygen her symptoms initially improved, but later worsened. Based on her symptoms air embolism was suspected. She recovered fully after treatment with hyperbaric oxygen.

CONCLUSION:

Air embolism is a potentially life-threatening complication of surgical, radiological or vascular interventions. Early recognition can lead to prompt treatment and better prognosis. If air embolism is suspected the patient should be treated according to ABCDE principles and oxygen should be administered. In case of neurological or circulatory symptoms a hospital that could provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be contacted as soon as possible.

Original language	English
Article number	D7480
Journal	Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde
Volume	167
Issue number	46
Publication status	Published - 8 Nov 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, Bohn Stafleu van Loghum. All rights reserved.

Cite this

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abstract = "BACKGROUND: Iatrogenic gas embolism is the presence of gas in vascular structures. Feared are those in coronary or cerebral arteries. These can result in cerebral or myocardial infarction. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 79-year-old female underwent CT-guided biopsy of the lung. Minutes later she developed neurological symptoms. After administration of oxygen her symptoms initially improved, but later worsened. Based on her symptoms air embolism was suspected. She recovered fully after treatment with hyperbaric oxygen. CONCLUSION: Air embolism is a potentially life-threatening complication of surgical, radiological or vascular interventions. Early recognition can lead to prompt treatment and better prognosis. If air embolism is suspected the patient should be treated according to ABCDE principles and oxygen should be administered. In case of neurological or circulatory symptoms a hospital that could provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be contacted as soon as possible.",

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T2 - The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy

AU - Geers, Marloes S.

AU - van der Sar-van der Brugge, Simone

AU - van Norden, Anouk G.W.

AU - van Hulst, Rob A.

AU - De Backer, Ingrid C.F.

PY - 2023/11/8

Y1 - 2023/11/8

N2 - BACKGROUND: Iatrogenic gas embolism is the presence of gas in vascular structures. Feared are those in coronary or cerebral arteries. These can result in cerebral or myocardial infarction. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 79-year-old female underwent CT-guided biopsy of the lung. Minutes later she developed neurological symptoms. After administration of oxygen her symptoms initially improved, but later worsened. Based on her symptoms air embolism was suspected. She recovered fully after treatment with hyperbaric oxygen. CONCLUSION: Air embolism is a potentially life-threatening complication of surgical, radiological or vascular interventions. Early recognition can lead to prompt treatment and better prognosis. If air embolism is suspected the patient should be treated according to ABCDE principles and oxygen should be administered. In case of neurological or circulatory symptoms a hospital that could provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be contacted as soon as possible.

AB - BACKGROUND: Iatrogenic gas embolism is the presence of gas in vascular structures. Feared are those in coronary or cerebral arteries. These can result in cerebral or myocardial infarction. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 79-year-old female underwent CT-guided biopsy of the lung. Minutes later she developed neurological symptoms. After administration of oxygen her symptoms initially improved, but later worsened. Based on her symptoms air embolism was suspected. She recovered fully after treatment with hyperbaric oxygen. CONCLUSION: Air embolism is a potentially life-threatening complication of surgical, radiological or vascular interventions. Early recognition can lead to prompt treatment and better prognosis. If air embolism is suspected the patient should be treated according to ABCDE principles and oxygen should be administered. In case of neurological or circulatory symptoms a hospital that could provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be contacted as soon as possible.

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IS - 46

M1 - D7480

ER -

Cerebral arterial air embolism: The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Abstract

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