1/96. Gas embolism during hysteroscopy.PURPOSE: Gas embolism during hysteroscopy is rare but sometimes fatal. A fatal case of gas embolism during diagnostic hysteroscopy using carbon dioxide (CO2) is presented. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 68 yr old woman was admitted for treatment of myoma and cancer of the uterus. hysteroscopy using CO2 was performed without monitoring or anesthesia on the ward. At the end of the examination, just after the hysteroscope was removed, she developed tonic convulsions, lost consciousness, and her pulse was impalpable. Cardiac massage was started, anesthesiologists were called and the trachea was intubated. She was transferred to the intensive care unit with continuous cardiac massage. Cardiac resuscitation was successful. A central venous line was inserted into the right ventricle under echocardiography in an attempt to aspirate gas with the patient in the Trendelenberg position, but the aspiration failed. Positive end expiratory pressure and heparin for emboli, midazolam for brain protection, and catecholamines were administered. Fifteen hours after resuscitation, the pupils were enlarged and she died 25 hr after resuscitation. CONCLUSION: Gas embolism is a rare complication of hysteroscopy. The procedure should be performed with monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation and end-tidal CO2 concentration.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/96. Fatal carbon dioxide embolism as an unreported complication of retroperitoneoscopy.Retroperitoneoscopy has gained popularity because it offers a safe alternative to the more debilitating open approach and avoids postoperative ileus. However, this type of procedure carries certain disadvantages in terms of intraperitoneal effusions and hemodynamic changes. Major complications are exceptional. We describe the case of a 52-year-old man who died of carbon dioxide embolism during elective totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernioplasty for symptomatic left indirect inguinal hernia. With the patient under general anesthesia, the retroperitoneal space was gained through a 1. 5-cm incision made below the umbilicus. During the dissection, the patient collapsed and could not be resuscitated. At autopsy, air bubbles were admixed with blood in the epicardial veins, but no injury to vessels was demonstrated. We conclude that carbon dioxide embolism usually is caused by direct puncture of major vessels during intra-abdominal procedures. However, when this complication occurs during retroperitoneoscopy, it seems related to pressure-forced entry of carbon dioxide into the venous plexus.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/96. Air embolism during tunneled central catheter placement performed without general anesthesia in children: a potentially serious complication.central venous catheters have had an increasingly important role in a variety of patient care situations, including long-term antibiotic therapy, chemotherapy, and nutritional support. The recent past has seen a gradual transition from placement of vascular access catheters by surgeons to placement by interventional radiologists. The interventional radiology service places a majority of the vascular access devices at our children's hospital, including peripherally inserted central catheters, tunneled central venous catheters, temporary and permanent hemodialysis catheters, and subcutaneous ports. Most procedures performed by our interventional radiology service in children can be successfully completed with use of intravenous (i.v.) sedation, and a few require general anesthesia (GA). Key advantages of GA over i.v. sedation include the ability to have positive pressure ventilation (PPV) or controlled apnea during the procedure. We report our experience of venous air embolism in three small children during placement of tunneled central venous catheters when GA was not used.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/96. Cerebral arterial gas embolism in air force ground maintenance crew--a report of two cases.Two cases of cerebral arterial gas embolism (CAGE) occurred after a decompression incident involving five maintenance crew during a cabin leakage system test of a Hercules C-130 aircraft. During the incident, the cabin pressure increased to 8 in Hg (203.2 mm Hg, 27 kPa) above atmospheric pressure causing intense pain in the ears of all the crew inside. The system was rapidly depressurized to ground level. After the incident, one of the crew reported chest discomfort and fatigue. The next morning, he developed a sensation of numbness in the left hand, with persistence of the earlier symptoms. A second crewmember, who only experienced earache and heaviness in the head after the incident, developed retrosternal chest discomfort, restlessness, fatigue and numbness in his left hand the next morning. Both were subsequently referred to a recompression facility 4 d after the incident. Examination by the diving Medical Officer on duty recorded left-sided hemianesthesia and Grade II middle ear barotrauma as the only abnormalities in both cases. Chest x-rays did not reveal any extra-alveolar gas. Diagnoses of Static Neurological decompression Illness were made and both patients recompressed on a RN 62 table. The first case recovered fully after two treatments, and the second case after one treatment. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and bubble contrast echocardiography performed on the first case 6 mo after the incident were reported to be normal. The second case was lost to follow-up. decompression illness (DCI) generally occurs in occupational groups such as compressed air workers, divers, aviators, and astronauts. This is believed to be the first report of DCI occurring among aircraft's ground maintenance crew.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/96. Air emboli with Haemaccel(R)We report two cases of venous air embolism which occurred in association with infusion of Haemaccel(R) using a pressure bag. As a result of these incidents, we performed a study that showed that up to 45 ml of air can be infused into a patient from a pressurised Haemaccel(R) plastic bottle using a standard administration set. We also demonstrated that the volume of air infused was influenced by the type and size of the pressure bag and the warming of the Haemaccel(R) plastic container.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/96. Possible venous argon gas embolism complicating argon gas enhanced coagulation during liver surgery.We report a case of a major venous argon embolism during argon beam coagulation of a liver biopsy. The essential signs were an abrupt reduction in end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure, in SpO2 and in systolic arterial pressure, at the time of coagulation. Spontaneous recovery was observed within 10 min. Precautions in respect of usage are highlighted.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/96. Air embolus associated with tubal insufflation.A patient underwent laparoscopy for a rectovaginal mass, dysmenorrhea, and infertility. After CO(2) pneumoperitoneum was established the laparoscope was placed without difficulty. Before the procedure was completed, the tubes were insufflated with air through a 20-ml syringe attached to a Cohen cannula. Tubes were patent. No other intraabdominal manipulation was performed at that time. During tubal insufflation the patient's end-tidal CO(2) decreased to 18%, partial pressure of oxygen decreased to 83%, and pulse increased to 130/minute. The CO(2) pneumoperitoneum was released, and the woman stabilized spontaneously. The CO(2) pneumoperitoneum was again established, with no further difficulty. The time relationship with tubal insufflation and lack of recurrence on reestablishing pneumoperitoneum suggest that air embolization during tubal insufflation occurred.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/96. Venous oxygen embolism due to hydrogen peroxide irrigation during posterior fossa surgery.Hazards of application of hydrogen peroxide to semiclosed space are well known. We present a case of suspected gas embolism following hydrogen peroxide irrigation of the surgical field during posterior fossa surgery in the prone position. Severe cardiovascular collapse occurred when the wound was irrigated with hydrogen peroxide solution. Generation of pressure gradient leads to absorption of a considerable amount of oxygen giving rise to features of venous gas embolism. Although the case was associated with an uneventful recovery, use of hydrogen peroxide for securing hemostasis should be avoided.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/96. propofol for sedation and control of intracranial pressure in children.Following central nervous system insults, control of intracranial pressure may lessen the incidence of morbidity and mortality. Therapies to control intracranial pressure include osmolar agents, prevention of and control of seizures, drainage of cerebrospinal fluid, hypothermia, and barbiturates. Control of agitation and excessive patient movement are additional components in the management of ICP. Although opioids and benzodiazepines are generally effective, in a small subset of patients, alternative agents may be necessary. The authors present 2 children with increased ICP in whom propofol was used to provide sedation and control ICP. The use of propofol in this setting and its possible applications in the children with increased ICP are discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 3keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/96. Systemic air embolism in respiratory distress syndrome.We report a case of severe respiratory distress syndrome which required intermittent positive pressure ventilation and led to severe pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE) and massive air embolism.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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