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Case Reports
. 2015 Sep 15:10:121.
doi: 10.1186/s13019-015-0329-3.

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

Wei-Heng Hung  1 , Chun-Chi Chang  2 , Shang-Yun Ho  3 , Chiung-Ying Liao  4 , Bing-Yen Wang  5   6   7
Affiliations
Case Reports

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

Wei-Heng Hung et al. J Cardiothorac Surg. .

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.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
a Transthoracic biopsy with 18G coaxial niddle for a pulmonary tumor. b Chest computed tomography revealed air-fluid in the aorta. c Chest computed tomography showed air bubbles in the coronary artery. d Brain computed tomography demonstrated multiple air embolisms in the cerebral vessels. e Electrocardiography also showed ST-segment depression in leads II, III and aVF
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