Vascular air embolism: A silent hazard to patient safety

Iatrogenic cerebral gas embolism–A systematic review of case reports

“…Due to varying awareness of the condition in relation to specific procedures, this distribution will probably not reflect the overall clinical reality. For instance, gas embolism is a well‐known complication of central venous catheters (CVC), but awareness of ICGE is limited in relation to other procedures. This underlines the importance of considering ICGE as a possible cause of neurological symptoms after any procedure with a possibility of embolization, even if it has not been previously reported.…”

“…Iatrogenic cerebral gas embolism (ICGE) occurs when gas enters the cerebral circulation in relation to a medical procedure, and may lead to vascular occlusion or local irritation . It is a known complication of a variety of procedures in clinical practice, and a broad range of symptoms has been reported . Like other cerebral ischemic events, it may have severe consequences for the patient, including neurological sequelae or death.…”

Carbon dioxide embolism during transoral robotic thyroidectomy: A case report

“…Aspiration of gas from a central venous catheter, and placing the patient in the left lateral decubitus and Trendelenburg position to relieve the airlock effect by moving the air pocket into the right atrium, can be effective. 19 In addition, cardiac resuscitation procedures, including epinephrine, and vasopressin and chest compression, should be considered while waiting for the CO 2 to be absorbed. Chest compression itself is thought to force air out of the pulmonary outflow tract, so improving forward blood flow.…”

Complications in modern hysteroscopic myomectomy

“…VAE is a rare complication and the gas embolus may come from the medium used to expand the uterus during electrocoagulation or directly from the air in the operating room. The gas entering the cardiovascular system can cause arrhythmia, pulmonary hypertension, gas exchange disorders, and, in the worst-case scenario, can lead to death [28,39]. A patient who develops VAE will report chest pain, breathing disturbances, shortness of breath, or may cough [39].…”

“…The gas entering the cardiovascular system can cause arrhythmia, pulmonary hypertension, gas exchange disorders, and, in the worst-case scenario, can lead to death [28,39]. A patient who develops VAE will report chest pain, breathing disturbances, shortness of breath, or may cough [39]. Some authors may find it unlikely, but asymptomatic gas in the right heart atrium after hysteroscopy is not a rare phenomenon [28,40].…”