Remaining Vigilant to Paradoxical Air Embolism in Patients Undergoing Hysteroscopic Surgery: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

The purpose of this case study and review was to understand the perianesthestic care of paradoxical air embolism (PAE) in patients undergoing hysteroscopic surgery. The perianesthestic management record of a patient undergoing hysteroscopic surgery was analyzed to study the characteristics of PAE, and the literature describing the perianesthestic care for PAE was reviewed. The first symptom of PAE in hysteroscopic surgery is often a decrease in end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO₂), and the complications include embolism of the pulmonary artery, coronary artery, and cerebral artery. The best monitoring method is continuous ETCO₂ monitoring, and intraoperative echocardiography is an excellent method to diagnose and guide the treatment of PAE. PAE is a rare but serious complication of hysteroscopic surgery that is associated with organ ischemia and hypoxia. Prevention and treatment of PAE requires the vigilance and cooperation of not only perianesthesia nurses and anesthesiologists but also the surgeons and operating room nurses. Early prevention, proper monitoring, and effective treatment are the keys to successful rescue for PAE.

Fatal systemic (paradoxical) air embolism diagnosed by postmortem funduscopy

Air embolism is often unrecognized and underreported. Published case reports or case series describe only rare fundal examinations of retinal air emboli (RAE)-a distinctive sign of systemic air embolism. We report an infant, found unresponsive at home, who died in the emergency department after unsuccessful resuscitative efforts. Before the autopsy, diagnostic RAE were recognized and imaged during postmortem funduscopy. Postmortem radiography and an autopsy confirmed systemic (paradoxical) air embolism due to inflicted abdominal and thoracic blunt force injuries. While a few descriptions and illustrations of RAE occur in case reports, we found no published photographic images of RAE in infants, children, or adults. This case report describes and photographically documents classic RAE associated with fatal systemic (paradoxical) air embolism. Complementing postmortem radiography and judicious autopsy techniques, the detection of RAE can aid pathologists in diagnosing systemic air embolism.

[Convulsive syndrome as a manifestation of acute cerebral damage due to paradoxical air embolism in neurosurgical patients. Series of clinical cases and literature review]

Introduction

Paradoxical air embolism (PAE) is a rare potentially fatal complication followed by entering of air emboli from the right cardiac chambers and pulmonary artery to large circulation circle.

Objective

To analyze five patients who underwent neurosurgical intervention complicated by PAE and early postoperative convulsive syndrome.

Material and methods

There were five patients who developed early postoperative convulsive syndrome after previous neurosurgery in sitting position complicated by PAE. Convulsive syndrome required intensive care at the ICU. MRI confirmed ischemic foci de novo outside the zone of surgical intervention in all cases. All patients underwent video-EEG monitoring in order to select anticonvulsant therapy and evaluate its effectiveness. The authors were able to match the epileptogenic focus in the cerebral cortex with MRI data. Available literature data devoted to the problem of convulsive syndrome after neurosurgery complicated by PAE were analyzed.

Results

The focus of epileptiform activity coincided with one of the foci of hyperintense MR signal in all cases.

Conclusion

Video-EEG monitoring is advisable in patients with impaired consciousness who underwent neurosurgery complicated by PAE.

Paradoxical Air Embolism Without Patent Foramen Ovale During Craniotomy in the Sitting Position

Craniotomy in the sitting position entails risk for venous air embolism (VAE). A 50-year-old male underwent pineal region mass resection through a sitting position craniotomy. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography confirmed the absence of intracardiac shunt. During craniotomy, VAE was noted inside the patient’s right heart, leading to hemodynamic instability. After repositioning to the supine position, significant crossover of air into the left heart was noted. Postoperatively, multiple small embolic strokes were noted. Patients who undergo craniotomy in the sitting position and are not found to have a patent foramen ovale (PFO) are not free of risk for paradoxical air embolism (PAE).

Cerebral Air Embolism as Possible Cause of Stroke During Therapeutic Endobronchial Application of Argon Plasma Coagulation

A 68-year-old male was admitted for evaluation of an endobronchial mass obstructing the right middle lobe (RML) and right lower lobe (RLL) of the lung. Flexible bronchoscopy revealed a notable endobronchial lesion in the bronchus intermedius that completely obstructed the RML and the RLL. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) at 30 watts and gas flow at 0.8 liters/minute to 1 liter/minute were applied to the tumor. In the recovery room, the patient was discovered to have a left-sided facial droop and left-sided weakness. The initial computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain and an angiogram of the head and neck were normal, but a repeat CT scan of the head several hours later was remarkable for an area of hypoattenuation in the right frontoparietal lobe concerning for infarct. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scan confirmed acute to sub-acute cortical infarcts. Given the direct temporal relation between the onset of neurologic symptoms and the usage of APC with bronchoscopy, a cerebral air embolism (CAE) was thought to be the cause of the patient's acute stroke.

Patent foramen ovale closure prior to surgery in the sitting position

Previously, patent foramen ovale (PFO) was an absolute contraindication to surgery in the sitting position. We report two patients with PFO who underwent surgery in the sitting position after percutaneous PFO closure. To our knowledge this is the first report of this technique.

Paradoxical air embolism during percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a case report

Air embolism is a rare complication of percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Patent foramen ovale, which is necessary in fetal circulation, is a potential route for emboli arising from the venous system to enter the systemic arterial circulation, resulting in paradoxical air embolism syndrome. A case of paradoxical air embolism during percutaneous nephrolithotomy is presented. To our knowledge, this is the first report of paradoxical air embolism associated with patent foramen ovale during percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Air embolism as a cause of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome: a case report

We describe a case of systemic inflammatory response syndrome associated with air embolism following the removal of a central line catheter, coupled with a deep inspiratory maneuver. The presence of a patent foramen ovale allowed the passage of a clinically significant amount of air from the venous circulation to the systemic circulation. The interaction of air with the systemic arterial endothelium may have triggered the release of endothelium-derived cytokines, resulting in the physiologic response of systemic inflammatory response syndrome.