Favorable outcome in a large left heart air embolism: lessons from an unusual complication of a noninvasive chest scan.
OBJECTIVE
To report an unusual life-threatening complication of the performance of a computed tomographic (CT) scan of the chest.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
An intubated patient with blunt thoracic trauma.


METHODS
Performance of a CT scan of the chest at full inspiration.


RESULTS
With air insufflation, a large left ventricular air embolism occurred as a consequence of an airway breach, revealed by the simultaneous existence of a mild bilateral anterior pneumothorax.


CONCLUSIONS
CT scan of the chest in patients at risk of airway breach (patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, trauma patients) should first be performed at full expiration, not full inspiration.
Schneider
F
F
Service de Réanimation Médicale, Hôpital de Hautepierre, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, France. Francis.Schneider@chru-strasbourg.fr
Lutun
P
P
Zollner
G
G
Gaudias
J
J
Pinto
L
L
Tempé
J D
JD
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D008297:Male; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011187:Posture; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging