Venous and arterial gas embolism associated with positive pressure ventilation.
We report a 53-year-old woman with ARDS who required positive pressure ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure. She sustained an acute right ventricular myocardial infarction associated with cardiovascular instability. The next day she sustained a fatal cerebral arterial gas embolism. Intravascular gas was documented within the cerebral, coronary, and pulmonary arterial circulations. Clinicians need to be aware of venous and arterial gas embolism as a complication of mechanical ventilation.
Weaver
L K
LK
Department of Medicine, LDS Hospital, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City 84143, USA.
Morris
A
A
D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000209:etiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002542:Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000628:therapy