title: Echocardiographic diagnosis of air embolism associated with central venous catheter placement: case report and review of the literature.
abstract: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is a valuable tool in the evaluation of patients with suspected air embolism. This report describes the presentation and evaluation of a critically ill woman with spontaneous air embolism occurring during a central venous catheter replacement. Bedside TTE established the diagnosis of air embolism, allowing prompt initiation of appropriate therapy. This case report highlights this uncommon but potentially life-threatening complication of central line placement and the utility of echocardiography in its evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Imaging and Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Cardiology, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA.
authors.forename: Prasad
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maddukuri
authors.forename: Brian C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Downey
authors.forename: Jessica A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Blander
authors.forename: Natesa G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Pandian
authors.forename: Ayan R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016683:Supine Position