title: Fatal venous air embolism after removal of a central venous catheter.
abstract: Venous air embolism is an infrequent, but potentially disastrous, occurrence after the insertion or removal of central venous catheters. The authors describe fatal venous air embolism after removal of a central venous catheter in a 43-year-old man recovering from coronary artery bypass surgery. They discuss the pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Several practical considerations are necessary to prevent this complication of central venous catheterization, a procedure commonly delegated to junior house officers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Graduate Hospital, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Sing
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Steffe
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Branas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000209:etiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011184:Postoperative Period