Coronary Air Embolism During Lung Biopsy: A Rare but Insidious Problem
Shilpushp J Bhosale, Malini Joshi, Meshach M Dhas, Nitin S Shetty, Atul P Kulkarni
Keywords :
Air embolism, Cerebellar infarction, Coronary thrombosis
Citation Information :
Bhosale SJ, Joshi M, Dhas MM, Shetty NS, P Kulkarni A. Coronary Air Embolism During Lung Biopsy: A Rare but Insidious Problem. 2024; 3 (6):161-164.
Aim and background: To study an unusual presentation of coronary air embolism causing non-ST elevation myocardial infarction that occurred during a lung nodule biopsy procedure. Coronary air embolism can be a dreaded complication that may occasionally occur during cardiac catheterization, cardiac surgeries, and other cardiac procedures but is not so common during noncardiac procedures. The sequelae of this complication can range from being clinically insignificant to catastrophic coronary and/or cerebral air embolism.
Case description: A 58-year-old male diagnosed with left-sided parotid carcinoma with suspected lung metastasis underwent a biopsy of lung lesion under local anesthesia. At the end of the procedure, the patient developed hemoptysis with unconsciousness. A cardiac code was activated, and the patient was immediately resuscitated. The patient developed a large pneumothorax with alveolar bleeding along with significant coronary air embolism. An electrocardiogram showed inferior wall myocardial ischemia. The patient was medically managed and made an uneventful recovery.
Conclusion and clinical significance: The case highlights the unusual but catastrophic effects of coronary air embolism. It also shows that early recognition and timely treatment can improve outcomes.
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