Paradoxical gas embolism by transpulmonary passage of venous emboli during hysteroscopic surgery: a case report and discussion.
After an episode of apparent venous gas embolism in a patient undergoing surgical hysteroscopy, transoesophageal echocardiography revealed air in the left but not in the right heart. Contrast echocardiography failed to demonstrate anatomical right-to-left shunts, making it likely that venous emboli overwhelmed the capacity of lungs to filter emboli, resulting in paradoxical embolization.
Department of Anaesthesiology, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Oosterpark 9, 1091 AC Amsterdam, The Netherlands. b.m.p.rademaker@olvg.nl
B M P
BM
Rademaker
F A
FA
Groenman
P A
PA
van der Wouw
E A
EA
Bakkum
D000328:Adult; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D019320:Embolism, Paradoxical / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015907:Hysteroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*