AIR INJECTION, RARE YET DEADLY: A CASE OF VENOUS AIR EMBOLISM

TOPIC: Imaging TYPE: Medical Student/Resident Case Reports INTRODUCTION: Patients with intravenous drug use are at risk for the development of air aneurysm through introduction air. In this report, we present a patient use-induced venous embolism without cerebral who had non-operative spontaneous resolution and was ultimately safely discharged home. CASE PRESENTATION: A 35-year-male ongoing illicit alcohol disorder, presented to emergency department after being unresponsive on floor prolonged period time. Patient found be in acute renal failure complicated by hyperkalemia rhabdomyolysis his urine toxicology positive cocaine. On physical examination, he noted disoriented, diaphoretic, signs anterior chest ecchymosis. During evaluation, contrast-enhanced CT imaging demonstrated right ventricle/right pericardium as well innominate vein internal mammary vein. Head revealed no evidence embolism. managed metabolic derangements failure. His hospitalization compartment syndrome upper extremity, requiring surgical decompression. remained hemodynamically stable able DISCUSSION: Venous (VAE) is condition which or gas introduced system. Although it most commonly associated iatrogenic complications via interventional procedures, can caused from variety circumstances including penetrating trauma, diving, use. VAE cases typically asymptomatic going unreported generally incidentally. Where symptoms present, they usually nonspecific prompt further investigation. Complications fatal embolize pulmonary where suspected, Trendelenburg left lateral decubitus positioning help allow stabilization emboli within apex ventricle reduces outflow tract obstruction. suspected etiology, counseling close monitoring important prevent progression recurrence VAE. CONCLUSIONS: history IV recent medical interventions have higher risks embolism, rare but potentially condition. Clinicians must high index suspicion those populations ensure investigation intervention. REFERENCE #1: 1. Groell, Reinhard, et al. "Vascular embolism: location, frequency, cause electron-beam studies chest." Radiology 202.2 (1997): 459-462. #2: 2. La Pietra, Pasquale, "Iatrogenic Air Embolism." Eurorad (2013). #3: 3. Orebaugh, STEVEN L. "Venous clinical experimental considerations." Critical care medicine 20.8 (1992): 1169-1177. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships Ahmed Aladham, source=Web Response Kyle Brockman, Navitha Ramesh,