Cerebral Air Embolism after Removal of Subclavian Venous Catheter: A case report.

, Bok, Soo Kyung; , Hyun, Hwa Jin; , Lee, Yung Jin; , Yoon, Jong Myung; , Oh, Sang Hyang

Case Report

Journal of the Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine 2007;31(2):248-251.

Bok, Soo Kyung , Hyun, Hwa Jin , Lee, Yung Jin , Yoon, Jong Myung , Oh, Sang Hyang

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Konyang University College of Medicine, Korea. chicchock@hanmail.net

중심 정맥 카테터 제거 후 발생한 뇌 공기 색전증 ⁣증례 보고⁣

복수경, 현화진, 이영진, 윤종명, 오상향

건양대학교 의과대학 재활의학교실

Abstract

We experienced a patient who developed a cerebral air embolism after subclavian venous catheter removal. The patient underwent gastric antrectomy under impression of gastric cancer. After surgery, right subclavian venous catheter was removed while the patient was kept in supine position for 15 minutes. When he changed to sitting position, he became agitated and O₂ saturation was dropped to 72%. Immediately 100% O₂ was administered via air mask. Computed tomography of brain showed multiple focal air densities in the cerebral vessels. Three days after the event, he slowly regained consciousness with persistent left hemipareis. After rehabilitation, he was able to walk with quadcane and gained functional improvement. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2007; 31: 248-251)

Key Words: Paradoxical embolism, Cerebral infarct, Subclavian venous catheter