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Tex Heart Inst J. 2008; 35(4): 472–474.
PMCID: PMC2607090
Simultaneous Coronary and Cerebral Air Embolism after CT-Guided Core Needle Biopsy of the Lung
David H. Hsi, MD, Thomas N. Thompson, MD, Alexander Fruchter, MD, Michael S. Collins, MD, Olaf U. Lieberg, MD, and Hartwig Boepple, MD
Departments of Medicine (Drs. Collins and Fruchter), Cardiology (Dr. Hsi), Radiology (Dr. Thompson), and Orthopedic Surgery (Dr. Lieberg), Geneva General Hospital, Geneva, New York 14456; Department of Pulmonary Medicine and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Millard Fillmore Hospital (Dr. Boepple), Buffalo, New York 14209; and The Pulmonary Group of Western New York (Dr. Boepple), Williamsville, New York 14221
Abstract
An air embolism in the arterial system is a rare but serious sequela of lung biopsy. We describe the case of a patient who presented with acute cardiac and cerebral air embolism, including simultaneous acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, unresponsiveness, seizure, and stroke. Computed tomographic imaging revealed air pockets in the right coronary artery and aorta. The patient made a full recovery after aggressive medical treatment and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Key words: Biopsy, needle/adverse effects; embolism, air/complications/etiology/radiography/therapy; hyperbaric oxygenation; postoperative complications; radiography, interventional; tomography, X-ray computed