Tuberc Respir Dis.  2008 Jul;65(1):57-60. 10.4046/trd.2008.65.1.57.

Air in the Left Brachiocephalic Vein Accompanied with Pulmonary Edema

• Lee SW
• Kang HH
• Kim MH
• Kwon HM
• Lee JM
• Lee JY
• Oh SJ
• Lee SH
• Moon HS

• KMID: 1478219
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2008.65.1.57

Abstract

A fifty-seven year old female patient visited the emergency department with tachypnea and a decreased mental status. The patient had been receiving fluid therapy at home and a bolus of air was injected into the fluid bottle in order to increase the infusion speed. Chest computed tomography revealed air in the left brachiocephalic vein that was accompanied with pulmonary edema the diagnosis of venous air embolism was made. Venous air embolism can result from various procedures that are performed in almost all clinical specialties and they can be fatal in cases of massive air embolism. Therefore, it is important for all clinicians to be aware of this problem.

Keyword

Air embolism; Pulmonary embolism; Home infusion therapy; Computed tomography; Pulmonary edema

MeSH Terms

Brachiocephalic Veins
Embolism, Air
Emergencies
Female
Fluid Therapy
Home Infusion Therapy
Humans
Pulmonary Edema
Pulmonary Embolism
Tachypnea
Thorax

Figure

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  Figure 1 Simple chest radiograph shows increased vascular markings and ground glass opacities in both lower lung fields.

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  Figure 2 Contrast enhanced chest computed tomography scans show air (arrow) in the left brachiocephalic vein (A). Also, thickenings of interlobular septa, fissure, and bronchovascular bundles are seen in both lung fields with ground glass opacities, suggesting pulmonary edema (B).

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