Neurologic manifestations of cerebral air embolism as a complication of central venous catheterization

Abstract

When caring for critically ill patients needing central venous catheterization, nursing staff and physicians should be aware of this potentially lethal complication.

Arrêt cardiorespiratoire par embolie gazeuse à partir d’une voie veineuse périphérique

“…Si les risques l'embolie gazeuse à partie d'une voie veineuse centrale sont bien documentés, 1 ceux imputables aux voies veineuses périphériques semblent moins fré-quents. 2 Nous rapportons le cas d'un arrêt cardiorespiratoire causé fort probablement par une embolie provenant d'un cathéter veineux périphérique.…”

“…L'embolie gazeuse est une pathologie rare, aux consé-quences souvent lourdes en l'absence de traitement spécifique, dont l'étiologie est aujourd'hui le plus souvent iatrogène. 1 Les causes médicales les plus incriminées sont la ponction des gros troncs veineux (veines sous clavières et jugulaires). Les rares cas publiés rapportent la survenue d'embolie gazeuse chez de jeunes enfants, essentiellement après perfusion sur une tubulure mal purgée.…”

Hyperbaric treatment of cerebral air embolism in an infant with cyanotic congenital heart disease

“…Unfortunately, CAGE may occur in such patients due to iv therapy or medical procedures. [3][4][5] Treating critically ill small babies in a hyper- baric chamber poses special challenges and there is little published experience of these situations, 6 especially pertaining to children with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD). [7][8][9] We describe HBOT of an infant with complex CCHD and CAGE.…”

“…However, from examination of information from case series 5,12 it is apparent that both mortality and major morbidity are much higher in the absence of HBOT and that outcome is better when it commences within six hours. 13 Presentation of iatrogenic CAGE in adults includes coma, seizures, encephalopathic features, respiratory arrest, sensory and motor deficits (including hemiplegia and hemianopia), disorientation and ventricular fibrillation.…”

“…13 Presentation of iatrogenic CAGE in adults includes coma, seizures, encephalopathic features, respiratory arrest, sensory and motor deficits (including hemiplegia and hemianopia), disorientation and ventricular fibrillation. 5,12 Response to prompt HBOT may be dramatic and complete. 12 In 75% of adults air bubbles may be seen on a CT scan 5 and may persist for at least four days.…”