Fatal venous air embolism during emergence from anesthesia.
We describe a case of the sudden onset of cardiovascular collapse during emergence from anesthesia resulting from a massive venous air embolism, which was detected by transesophageal echocardiography. We present this case to remind anesthesiologists to be aware of the risk of a sudden return of air trapped in the venous system during emergence from anesthesia. The air is freed because the sympathetic tone is increased, muscle-pumping power is regained, ventilation shifts from positive-pressure to negative-pressure spontaneous ventilation, and the patient is repositioned after surgery.
Hsieh
Teng-Kuei
TK
Department of Anesthesiology, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Hsieh
Ja-Ping
JP
Lin
Ming-Chung
MC
Ho
Shung-Tai
ST
Hsing
Chung-Hsi
CH
Wang
Jhi-Joung
JJ
Chu
Chin-Chen
CC
D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged