Anaesthesia and intensive care
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Apr 2004
Review Case ReportsFatal systemic air embolism during endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography.
Air embolism is a rare complication of gastrointestinal endoscopy. We present a 56-year-old male who developed both venous and systemic arterial air embolism during an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram. ⋯ Clinical diagnosis of air embolism during endoscopy is difficult and urgent echocardiography is the investigation of choice. Treatment is largely supportive but hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be considered in any severe cases, especially if neurological injury is present.