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Echocardiographic characteristics of venous air embolism presenting as reversible pulmonary atresia in a premature neonate

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2005

Abhay Divekar ,
Rebecca Cases  and
Reeni Soni
Abhay Divekar
Affiliation:
Section of Pediatric Cardiology, Variety Children's Heart Center, Children's Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Rebecca Cases
Affiliation:
Section of Neonatology, WR 004, Health Sciences Center, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Reeni Soni
Affiliation:
Section of Pediatric Cardiology, Variety Children's Heart Center, Children's Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Abstract

Air embolism secondary to mechanical ventilation is a rare but well-described complication in premature infants. We describe the echocardiographic appearance of venous air embolism manifesting as acute obstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract in such a premature infant, and review the pathophysiology of acute obstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract secondary to the “air lock” phenomenon. Awareness of the pathophysiology and echocardiographic appearance of venous air embolism may aid in prompt recognition and potential therapy for this lethal complication of mechanical ventilation.

Keywords

Air embolismmechanical ventilationechocardiography
Type
Brief Report
Information
Cardiology in the Young , Volume 14 , Issue 1 , February 2004 , pp. 102 - 105
Copyright
© 2004 Cambridge University Press

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