Venous Air Embolism: Case Series of a Complication of Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA) in the Emergency Department of Medicine

Abstract

Introduction: Venous air embolism (VAE) consists of air entering vascular structures due to a pressure gradient generated during medical-surgical procedures. Most cases of VAE are iatrogenic. Case Reports: Three hospitalised patients aged 23 to 86 years underwent venous air embolism (VAE) in the right heart system after performing CTPA. One of the patients died from a complication of venous thromboembolic disease (PE, coronary sinus thrombosis, mesenteric venous thrombosis). Conclusions: CTPA is a procedure that a priori seems innocuous, but it can be a potential cause of death or serious consequences for patients undergoing radiological procedures where the administration of contrast and the use of an injector could be counterproductive. Radiologists and physicians responsible for the patient should be aware of vascular gas embolism after contrast injection in patients undergoing CTPA.