NEAR-FATAL PULMONARY AIR EMBOLUS FROM PRESUMED INADVERTENT PRESSURE PLACED ON A PARTIALLY EMPTY PLASTIC INTRAVENOUS-INFUSION BAG

The present patient had a pulmonary embolism while in a cardiac catheterization laboratory, which afforded the opportunity of recognizing and directly treating this complication. Pulmonary air embolism should be considered in the differential diagnosis of electromechanical dissociation and unexplained hypotension in hospitalized patients who have central or intravenous access catheters in place. A classic mill wheel murmur should be sought Both fluoroscopy and transesophageal echocardiography can be used to confirm the diagnosis. © 1994.