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Echocardiographic Diagnosis of Air Embolism Associated with Central Venous Catheter Placement: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Author(s) -
Maddukuri Prasad,
Downey Brian C.,
Blander Jessica A.,
Pandian Natesa G.,
Patel Ayan R.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
echocardiography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.404
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1540-8175
pISSN - 0742-2822
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8175.2006.00211.x
Subject(s) - medicine , air embolism , central venous catheter , complication , pulmonary embolism , catheter , embolism , presentation (obstetrics) , critically ill , radiology , venous thromboembolism , intensive care medicine , surgery , thrombosis
Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is a valuable tool in the evaluation of patients with suspected air embolism. This report describes the presentation and evaluation of a critically ill woman with spontaneous air embolism occurring during a central venous catheter replacement. Bedside TTE established the diagnosis of air embolism, allowing prompt initiation of appropriate therapy. This case report highlights this uncommon but potentially life‐threatening complication of central line placement and the utility of echocardiography in its evaluation.