title: Gas embolism following bronchoscopic argon plasma coagulation: a case series.
abstract: Thermal ablation using argon plasma coagulation (APC) is a commonly used modality in the bronchoscopic management of central airway obstruction and hemoptysis. In experienced hands, APC is considered to be a relatively safe tool. Reported complications associated with APC use are rare and include hemorrhage, airway perforation, or airway fires. Systemic gas embolism has been reported with APC during laparoscopic hepatic surgeries, and we have reported one case of systemic gas embolism with cardiovascular collapse in the past. We now report the first case series of systemic, life-threatening gas embolism occurring as a complication of bronchoscopic application of APC.
authors.affiliation: Interventional Pulmonology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Chakravarthy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.affiliation: Interventional Pulmonology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Adnan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Majid
authors.affiliation: Interventional Pulmonology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Gaetane
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Michaud
authors.affiliation: Interventional Pulmonology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Feller-Kopman
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Thoraxklinik, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eberhardt
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Thoraxklinik, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Herth
authors.affiliation: Interventional Pulmonology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Electronic address: aernst@bidmc.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ernst
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged