Abstract:
An air embolism in the arterial system is a rare but serious sequela of lung biopsy. We describe the case of a patient who presented with acute cardiac and cerebral air embolism, including simultaneous acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, unresponsiveness, seizure, and stroke. Computed tomographic imaging revealed air pockets in the right coronary artery and aorta. The patient made a full recovery after aggressive medical treatment and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Hsi, Thompson, Fruchter, Collins, Lieberg, Boepple, , , (2008). Simultaneous coronary and cerebral air embolism after CT-guided core needle biopsy of the lung. Texas Heart Institute journal, 2008 ;35(4):472-4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19156246