Chest x-ray feature of venous air embolism in orthopedic surgery in prone position: A case report

Abstract

BackgroundVenous air embolism (VAE) is a life-threatening event characterized as a series of clinical features of the disease caused by gas entering the venous circulation in the body.Case presentationA 72-year-old male patient with an ankle fracture after trauma was admitted, and complained of chest pain and dyspnea after the ankle fracture resection and internal fixation. His heart rate and blood pressure dropped, and the patient was diagnosed with VAE according to a chest x-ray and clinical features. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was carried out and the patient's heartbeat recovered; his blood pressure rose to a normal level. The patient was still unconscious and sent to the intensive care unit for continued monitoring and treatment. Unfortunately, the patient discharged himself from the hospital and died 24 h later.ConclusionThis case suggests that x-ray may be a potential method for the rapid diagnosis of VAE in a resource-limited setting.

Air embolism caused by peripheral superficial vein catheterization: A case report

“…[ 9 ] Chest X-rays contribute to rapid diagnosis of venous air embolism. [ 10 ] Our patients are blurred in consciousness and the diagnosis is determined by changes in hemodynamics and by adjuvant tests.…”

Coronary Air Embolism Secondary to Percutaneous Lung Biopsy: A Systematic Review

“…A plain film chest radiograph can usually be obtained within an appropriate amount of time and can rule out other causes of chest pain, shortness of breath, and shock, for example, tension pneumothorax, hemorrhage, consolidation, severe aortopathy, and pulmonary edema. Although CAE cannot be definitively diagnosed on a plain chest X-ray (CXR), there have been cases depicting increased right ventricular and pulmonary arterial lucency in the setting of venous air embolism (VAE) [40]. Significant air burden with intracardiac valvulopathies (mitral/aortic valve stenosis or insufficiency) or low-flow states may theoretically allow for an air embolism to be appreciated in the left atrium (LA), left ventricle (LV), or aorta (AO) as an increased lucency.…”