Systemic air embolism after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a preterm infant

Abstract

Systemic air embolism may occur as a very rare complication after cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Inferior vena cava syndrome in neonates: An evidence‐based systematic review of the literature

“…Four hundred seventy‐two articles were identified and 33 were included; 28 case reports, 3 case series, and 2 retrospective cohort studies (Supporting Information Table S1), with a combined total of 34 patients from case reports/case series and 27 from cohort studies (Figure ). Selected articles included all patients with radiological evidence of IVCS ( n = 61; 57 of which were clinically symptomatic).…”

Intravascular gas in multiple organs detected by postmortem computed tomography: effect of prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation on organ damage in patients with cardiopulmonary arrest

“…4 We thus believe that putrefaction contributed little to the intravascular gas generation in multiple organs. 3,7,10 Although there may be other mechanisms responsible for postmortem gas generation in the body, a close relation between cardiovascular gas and CPR has been suggested. In fact, postmortem CT revealed cardiovascular gas in 71% of patients who underwent CPR but no gas in those who did not have CPR.…”

“…In fact, postmortem CT revealed cardiovascular gas in 71% of patients who underwent CPR but no gas in those who did not have CPR. 3,10 The mechanisms of cardiovascular gas generation after CPR include an increase in the level of dissolved gas in the blood due to rapid chest compression and decompression, 3,4 infl ow of air during venous catheterization, 3,10 air intrusion via bronchovenous fi stulas 2 related to endotracheal intubation, alveolar rupture due to barotrauma by manual or mechanical mandatory ventilation, 7,10,11 and disruption of fragile pulmonary vasculature or aortic dissection 3,8 during chest compression. 4,7,[10][11][12] The generated cardiovascular gas is subsequently transported to multiple organs via both arterial and venous systems by chest compression.…”

“…3,10 The mechanisms of cardiovascular gas generation after CPR include an increase in the level of dissolved gas in the blood due to rapid chest compression and decompression, 3,4 infl ow of air during venous catheterization, 3,10 air intrusion via bronchovenous fi stulas 2 related to endotracheal intubation, alveolar rupture due to barotrauma by manual or mechanical mandatory ventilation, 7,10,11 and disruption of fragile pulmonary vasculature or aortic dissection 3,8 during chest compression. 4,7,[10][11][12] The generated cardiovascular gas is subsequently transported to multiple organs via both arterial and venous systems by chest compression. [2][3][4]7,10,12 Gas in the hepatic vein, which is the most frequently observed location of intrahepatic gas in cases of traumatic death, 4 travels in a retrograde direction 4,7 from the right heart chambers 3 via the inferior vena cava in response to chest compression.…”

“…4,7,[10][11][12] The generated cardiovascular gas is subsequently transported to multiple organs via both arterial and venous systems by chest compression. [2][3][4]7,10,12 Gas in the hepatic vein, which is the most frequently observed location of intrahepatic gas in cases of traumatic death, 4 travels in a retrograde direction 4,7 from the right heart chambers 3 via the inferior vena cava in response to chest compression. Although several articles have described cerebral air embolism after CPR, 7,11,12 most of the patients had sustained trauma, particularly to the head, neck, or chest, which are likely sites where air enters the cerebral vessels.…”