title: Central venous catheterization and fatal air embolism.
abstract: Central venous catheterization is an established procedure in medical, surgical and anaesthetic practice. However, the procedure is not without hazard. One complication that may be life-threatening is air embolism. This article considers the causes of air embolism related to central venous catheterization, its treatment and methods of prevention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee.
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Seidelin
authors.forename: I H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Stolarek
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans