CASE REPORTS
JOURNAL ARTICLE
REVIEW
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Pathogenesis of systemic air embolism during bronchoscopic Nd:YAG laser operations.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of systemic air embolism during bronchoscopic neodymium:yttrium-aluminum garnet laser operations has been suspected. Here we describe its mechanism.

METHODS: Two patients with embolic cardiac and neurologic complications after bronchoscopic neodymium: yttrium-aluminum garnet laser tumor ablation are described. A subsequent third patient was monitored for intracardiac and aortic air by transesophageal echocardiography. A review of the literature and safety recommendations are discussed.

RESULTS: The appearance of systemic air emboli was related to the use of the laser fiber air coolant at high flow and resolved by decreasing the air flow. The presence of intracardiac and aortic air was associated with hypotension and inferior ischemic electrocardiographic changes.

CONCLUSIONS: Systemic air embolism during bronchoscopic laser operations is a potentially catastrophic complication and is related to the use of gas-cooled laser fibers and contact probes. We recommend using the noncontact mode whenever possible and maintaining the coaxial coolant air flow at the minimum level or using a fluid coolant if contact is necessary.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app