Cerebral Arterial Air Embolism Associated with Mechanical Ventilation and Deep Tracheal Aspiration. (1st August 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gursoy, S.; Duger, C.; Kaygusuz, K.; Ozdemir Kol, I.; Gurelik, B.; Mimaroglu, C.
• Other Names: Freire A. X. Academic Editor.; Watanabe K. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Case reports in pulmonology. Volume 2012(2012)
• Publication Date: 2012-08-01
• Subjects: Lungs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory infections -- Periodicals; Lung Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Respiratory Tract Infections; Lungs -- Diseases; Respiratory infections; Respiratory organs -- Diseases; Periodicals; Case Reports; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.2
• DOI: 10.1155/2012/416360
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-6846

Abstract

Abstract : Arterial air embolism associated with pulmonary barotrauma has been considered a rare but a well-known complication of mechanical ventilation. A 65-year-old man, who had subarachnoid hemorrhage with Glasgow coma scale of 8, was admitted to intensive care unit and ventilated with the help of mechanical ventilator. Due to the excessive secretions, deep tracheal aspirations were made frequently. GCS decreased from 8–10 to 4-5, and the patient was reevaluated with cranial CT scan. In CT scan, air embolism was detected in the cerebral arteries. The patient deteriorated and spontaneous respiratory activity lost just after the CT investigation. Thirty minutes later cardiac arrest appeared. Despite the resuscitation, the patient died. We suggest that pneumonia and frequent tracheal aspirations are predisposing factors for cerebral vascular air embolism.