Venous Air Embolism After Intravenous Contrast Administration for Computed Tomography

Venous air embolism detected on computed tomography of small animals

“…The location of intravenous air in this study is compatible with human studies where post‐contrast CT intravenous gas was commonly seen in the subclavian or internal jugular veins (Rubinstein et al , Sakai et al ). Detection of intravenous gas on post‐contrast CT has also been described in the main pulmonary artery, cardiac chambers and superior vena cava (Woodring et al , Groell et al , Sodhi et al ), which was not seen in the animal studied here. This difference may be attributed to differences in catheterisation technique or volume of air introduced.…”

“…The majority of cases require intravenous catheterisation for administration of intravenous fluids, injectable anaesthetic agents and contrast media (Pollard & Puchalski ). When performing contrast enhanced CT in humans, venous air embolism is encountered as a non‐fatal incidental finding (Price et al , Woodring & Fried , Rubinstein et al , Groell et al , Sakai et al , Sodhi et al ), despite attempts to reduce or prevent introducing venous gas. The majority of the CT examinations included in this study evaluated the head and spine (72%) and this region of interest excluded the most common site of venous embolism (axillary vein), thus the true prevalence of venous air embolism may be underestimated.…”

“…Morbidity and mortality rates from venous air embolism are determined by the position of the patient and the volume of air introduced. Human patients with right to left intra‐cardiac shuts or pulmonary arteriovenous malformation may have complications of cerebral air embolism (Woodring & Fried, , Sodhi et al ). This may also be true for dogs and cats.…”

“…Introduction of venous air emboli is a common occurrence during vessel catheterisation (Groell et al , Boitout & Mahler ) and contrast administration for human computed tomography (CT) examinations (Price et al , Groell et al . , Sakai et al , Sodhi et al ). In addition, various medical and surgical procedures have been reported to lead to air embolism (Ackerman et al , Thayer et al , Nern et al , Riddick & Brogdon , Pandey et al ).…”

Vascular air embolism after contrast administration on 64 row multiple detector computed tomography: A prospective analysis

“…Vascular air embolism during or after contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scan is being progressively reported as a nonfatal event with increase in the use of CT as a diagnostic modality. [ 1 2 3 ] Most of these events of venous air embolism are asymptomatic. Patients with known risk factors such as right-to-left intracardiac shunt or pulmonary arteriovenous malformation, are reported to be at a higher risk of having neurological deficits from even small amounts of venous air.…”