[Venous gas embolism from pleurovenous fistula].
We report the case of an iatrogenic gas embolism related to a subclavian vein catheterization complicated by a preexisting partial pneumothorax. Catheterization was indicated because of a septic shock due to nosocomial pneumonia. Five days after the catheterization, the haemodynamics and gas exchanges of the patient worsened. A transthoracic echography showed gas embolism in the right heart related to a right partial pneumothorax. A leak between the pleura and the left subclavian vein was diagnosed. The insertion of a chest tube stopped the airflow, by suppressing the pneumothorax.
Blasco
V
V
Département d'anesthésie et de réanimation, CHU de Nord, chemin des Bourrely, 13915 Marseille cedex 20, France. ValeryBenjamin.Blasco@ap-hm.fr
Visintini
P
P
Antonini
F
F
Leone
M
M
Albanese
J
J
Martin
C
C
D000328:Adult; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D008297:Male; D011014:Pneumonia; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D016156:Respiratory Tract Fistula / Q000150:complications*; D013350:Subclavian Vein; D016157:Vascular Fistula / Q000150:complications*