Coronary artery air embolism complicating a CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy of the lung.
Systemic air embolism is a rare but potentially fatal complication of percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy of the lung. Coronary air embolism can result in myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, or dysrhythmias. We present the first case of cardiac arrest and myocardial infarction confirmed by ECG and cardiac enzymes in the presence of air in the left coronary artery documented by CT scan in a 77-year-old man after CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy of the lung.
Mokhlesi
Babak
B
Louis A. Weiss Memorial Hospital, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. Babak_Mokhlesi@rush.edu
Ansaarie
Imraan
I
Bader
Mazen
M
Tareen
Mona
M
Boatman
James
J
D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects; D003331:Coronary Vessels; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed