The results from the study show that I-AT may compromise pulmonary function in some cases and is one of the reasons for the recommendation of a safer option, CPAP-AT, in the currently revised Polish BD criteria. During AT, the mean CO increase rate was 5 mmHg/min, which, in most patients, would allow the test to be completed after just 5 min.

We present the case of a 39 year-old male patient admitted to ICU with symptoms of acute metabolic acidosis. He was investigated for the presence of methanol and glycol. Conservative treatment was initially started, followed by haemodialysis. During insertion of a temporary haemodialysis catheter in a location of Haapaniemi and Slatis, the patient was conscious but restless; therefore sedation was required to continue the procedure. After three hours of haemodialysis, the patient's general condition suddenly deteriorated. Hypovolemic shock and acute respiratory distress led to hypothesis of right haemothorax, which was rapidly confirmed by angio-CT examination. Trachea was intubated, drainage of right pleura was performed and aggressive fluid treatment begun. The patient was admitted to the operating theatre, and thoracotomy with reconstruction of damaged right venous angle was carried out. After the operation, the patient was transferred to ICU. He was mechanically ventilated and remained haemodynamically unstable. Although fluids and blood-made concentrates were transfused and catecholamines continuously administered, his clinical condition deteriorated and finally the patient died. We found two independent causes of this fatality: hypovolemic shock and acute extrinsic metabolic acidosis. However, this paper focuses on the problem of the iatrogenic complication, which was haemothorax. In the literature there are described examples of such cases. Authors emphasise the most traumatic moment of cannulation as being insertion of the guidewire and dilator to perform a tunnel for the catheter. Puncture by needle and localisation of the central vein results in fewer complications. Furthermore, we strongly recommend monitoring patients after central veins cannulation. All sudden deteriorations in clinical condition should be followed by meticulous diagnosis for the presence of this life-threatening complication.

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The concept of brain death (BD) was initially described in 1959 and subsequently became widely accepted in the majority of countries. Nevertheless, the diagnostic guidelines for BD markedly differ, especially regarding the apnoea test (AT), a crucial element of clinical BD confirmation. The current basic guidelines recommend preoxygenation rather than disconnection from the ventilator and insertion of an oxygen insufflation catheter into the endotracheal tube. Although a properly prepared and conducted AT is relatively safe, it has to be aborted in cases of serious disturbances, such as severe cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, hypotension, hypercarbia, desaturation and tension pneumothorax. These complications may be more frequent in patients with previously existing risk factors, such as poor oxygenation, severe acidosis, hypotension and cardiac rhythm disturbances. Airway injuries can occur if the insufflation catheter is placed too deep or catheter-related obstruction of the intubation tube occurs. It is widely accepted that AT should be performed as the very last BD diagnostic procedure due to its possible lethal consequences. Reports concerning the possible pitfalls of AT and confounding situations have inspired attempts to determine the most effective and safe method of AT. The use of CPAP with oxygen supplementation is becoming highly popular. CPAP can be generated in three manners: directly by the ventilator; through the use of a CPAP valve with a reservoir; and through the use of a highly traditional T-piece system with a reservoir bag connected to distal tubing immersed in water.