Endoscopy 2010; 42: E111
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1243942
Unusual cases and technical notes

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Fatal venous air embolism during upper endoscopy in a patient with percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) catheter

C.  B.  Meier1 , A.  J.  Moser2 , M.  K.  Sanders3
  • 1University of Colorado Health Sciences Center – Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Aurora, Colorado, USA
  • 2Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
  • 3Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Further Information

C. B. Meier

University of Colorado Health Sciences Center – Gastroenterology, Hepatology

12631 East 17th Avenue
MS B158 Aurora
Colorado 80045
USA

+1-720-848-2756

Email: meiercb@hotmail.com

Publication History

Publication Date:
19 March 2010 (online)

Table of Contents

Venous air embolism is a rare complication of endoscopic procedures reported with colonoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography with sphincterotomy [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]. We report a case of a fatal venous air embolism during upper endoscopy in a patient with prior pancreaticoduodenectomy and recent percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) catheter placement.

A 52-year-old man underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma and PTC catheter placement for ascending cholangitis. An upper endoscopy under fluoroscopy was performed after the patient developed melena. The endoscope was advanced to the hepaticojejunostomy ([Fig. 1]), when the patient suddenly became hypoxic, bradycardic, and developed pulseless electrical activity. Despite prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the patient expired. An autopsy was declined by the family, however, review of the intraprocedural fluoroscopic images revealed an air venogram, consistent with a fatal venous air embolism ([Fig. 2]).

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Fig. 1 Endoscope advanced through the afferent limb to the hepaticojejunostomy.

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Fig. 2 Venous air embolism.

Occurrence of venous air embolism during endoscopy requires communication between the air source and vasculature as well as a pressure gradient favoring passage of air into the venous circulation. Air usually enters through a mucosal defect or vasculoenteric fistula, aided by positive pressure from insufflation. Clinical manifestations include sudden decrease in end-tidal carbon dioxide or oxygen saturation, cyanosis, hypotension, bradycardia or tachycardia, and a mill-wheel murmur. Initial management consists of provision of high-flow oxygen, Trendelenburg position, and insertion of a central venous catheter for aspiration of gas bubbles.

Although venous air embolism may occur in patients without risk factors [6] [7], disruption of mucosal barriers (ulcerations, trauma, dilation, sphincterotomy), presence of blind intestinal limbs (hepaticojejunostomy), and bowel directly apposed to venous structures (varices) are known risk factors [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]. In the present patient, placement of the PTC catheter probably created a vasculobiliary fistula. The presence of a widely patent hepaticojejunostomy, blind intestinal limb, and air insufflation created a pressure gradient allowing air flow into the venous circulation. The fluoroscopic images confirmed air within the hepatic veins and inferior vena cava ([Fig. 2]). General endotracheal anesthesia and close monitoring of endotracheal carbon dioxide in patients with known risk factors may improve clinical outcomes.

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References

  • 1 Huycke A, Moeller D D. Hepatic portal venous gas after colonoscopy in granulomatous colitis.  Am J Gastroenterol. 1985;  80 637-638
  • 2 Akhtar N, Jafri W, Mozaffar T. Cerebral artery air embolism following an esophagogastroscopy: a case report.  Neurology. 2001;  56 136-137
  • 3 Patel R T, Deen K I, Fielding J W. Portal pyaemia following flexible sigmoidoscopy.  Br J Surg. 1995;  82 422-423
  • 4 Pfaffenbach B, Wegener M, Bohmeke T. Hepatic portal venous gas after transgastric EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration of an accessory spleen.  Gastrointest Endosc. 1996;  43 515-518
  • 5 Kennedy C, Larvin M, Linsell J. Fatal hepatic air embolism following ERCP.  Gastrointest Endosc. 1997;  45 187-188
  • 6 Demaerel P, Gevers A M, De Bruecker Y. et al . Stroke caused by cerebral air embolism during endoscopy.  Gastrointest Endosc. 2003;  57 134-135
  • 7 Chorost M I, Wu J T, Webb H, Ghosh B C. Vertebral venous air embolism: an unusual complication following colonoscopy: report of a case.  Dis Colon Rectum. 2003;  46 1138-1140
  • 8 Huycke A, Moeller D D. Hepatic portal venous gas after colonoscopy in granulomatous colitis.  Am J Gastroenterol. 1985;  80 637-638
  • 9 Katzgraber F, Glenewinkel F, Rittner C, Beule J. Fatal air embolism from gastroscopy [letter].  Lancet. 1995;  346 1714-1715
  • 10 Barthet M, Membrini P, Bernard J-P, Sahel J. Hepatic portal venous gas after endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy.  Gastrointest Endosc. 1994;  40 261-263
  • 11 Lowdon J d, Tidmore T L. Fatal air embolism after gastrointestinal endoscopy.  Anesthesiology. 1988;  69 622-623
  • 12 Desmond P V, MacMahon R A. Fatal air embolism following endoscopy of a hepatic portoenterostomy [letter].  Endoscopy. 1990;  22 236

C. B. Meier

University of Colorado Health Sciences Center – Gastroenterology, Hepatology

12631 East 17th Avenue
MS B158 Aurora
Colorado 80045
USA

+1-720-848-2756

Email: meiercb@hotmail.com

#

References

  • 1 Huycke A, Moeller D D. Hepatic portal venous gas after colonoscopy in granulomatous colitis.  Am J Gastroenterol. 1985;  80 637-638
  • 2 Akhtar N, Jafri W, Mozaffar T. Cerebral artery air embolism following an esophagogastroscopy: a case report.  Neurology. 2001;  56 136-137
  • 3 Patel R T, Deen K I, Fielding J W. Portal pyaemia following flexible sigmoidoscopy.  Br J Surg. 1995;  82 422-423
  • 4 Pfaffenbach B, Wegener M, Bohmeke T. Hepatic portal venous gas after transgastric EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration of an accessory spleen.  Gastrointest Endosc. 1996;  43 515-518
  • 5 Kennedy C, Larvin M, Linsell J. Fatal hepatic air embolism following ERCP.  Gastrointest Endosc. 1997;  45 187-188
  • 6 Demaerel P, Gevers A M, De Bruecker Y. et al . Stroke caused by cerebral air embolism during endoscopy.  Gastrointest Endosc. 2003;  57 134-135
  • 7 Chorost M I, Wu J T, Webb H, Ghosh B C. Vertebral venous air embolism: an unusual complication following colonoscopy: report of a case.  Dis Colon Rectum. 2003;  46 1138-1140
  • 8 Huycke A, Moeller D D. Hepatic portal venous gas after colonoscopy in granulomatous colitis.  Am J Gastroenterol. 1985;  80 637-638
  • 9 Katzgraber F, Glenewinkel F, Rittner C, Beule J. Fatal air embolism from gastroscopy [letter].  Lancet. 1995;  346 1714-1715
  • 10 Barthet M, Membrini P, Bernard J-P, Sahel J. Hepatic portal venous gas after endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy.  Gastrointest Endosc. 1994;  40 261-263
  • 11 Lowdon J d, Tidmore T L. Fatal air embolism after gastrointestinal endoscopy.  Anesthesiology. 1988;  69 622-623
  • 12 Desmond P V, MacMahon R A. Fatal air embolism following endoscopy of a hepatic portoenterostomy [letter].  Endoscopy. 1990;  22 236

C. B. Meier

University of Colorado Health Sciences Center – Gastroenterology, Hepatology

12631 East 17th Avenue
MS B158 Aurora
Colorado 80045
USA

+1-720-848-2756

Email: meiercb@hotmail.com

Zoom Image

Fig. 1 Endoscope advanced through the afferent limb to the hepaticojejunostomy.

Zoom Image

Fig. 2 Venous air embolism.