Air embolism: A rare complication of esophagogastroduodenoscopy!

• Main Authors: Ajay B. Jhaveri, Sharad C. Shah, Prasanna S. Shah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd. 2014-07-01
• Series: Journal of Digestive Endoscopy
• Subjects: air embolism; esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy; neurological complication
• Online Access: http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.4103/0976-5042.147507

Neurological complications of gastrointestinal endoscopy are extremely rare; cerebral air embolism has been described and can be severe and fatal. A high index of suspicion for an air embolism is a must in case of procedural or periprocedural cardiopulmonary instability and neurologic symptoms, particularly in patients with recognized risk factors. The diagnosis of an air embolism is often difficult and is complicated by the fact that air may be rapidly absorbed from the circulation. Simple maneuvers to decrease the impact of a potential air embolism include; stopping the procedure, administering high flow 100% oxygen, placing the patient in Trendelenburg and left lateral decubitus position, and discontinuing nitrous oxide. C T Scan and 2 D ECHO are important diagnostic tests.