Systemic air embolism causing acute stroke and myocardial infarction after percutaneous transthoracic lung biopsy-a case report

J Cardiothorac Surg. 2015 Sep 15:10:121. doi: 10.1186/s13019-015-0329-3.

Abstract

Computed tomography (CT)-guided transthoracic lung biopsy is a common procedure for the diagnosis of pulmonary lesion. Pneumothorax, pulmonary hemorrhage and hemoptysis are the most common complications of the procedure. Air embolism is a rare serious complication. We reported a case with air embolism related acute ischemic stroke and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) simultaneously after percutaneous transthoracic lung biopsy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Needle / adverse effects*
  • Coronary Vessels*
  • Embolism, Air / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Image-Guided Biopsy
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Infarction / etiology*
  • Stroke / etiology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods