Fatal paradoxical air embolism during liver transplantation.

A Case Report of Paradoxical Air Embolism Caused by Intrapulmonary Shunting During Liver Transplantation

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Right heart dysfunction, pulmonary embolism, and paradoxical embolization during liver transplantation. A transesophageal two-dimensional echocardiographic study.

In 16 adult patients, we performed continuous intraoperative two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2DTEE) to help elucidate the mechanism of myocardial dysfunction that accompanies liver transplantation. In 4 of the 16 patients "paradoxical" motion of the interventricular septum consistent with right ventricular failure was seen. An additional three of the 16 patients showed right a...

Paradoxical carbon dioxide embolism during laparoscopic unroofing of a recurrent nonparasitic liver cyst.

C arbon dioxide (CO2) embolism is a rare but severe complication of laparoscopic surgery. It has been reported during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and hepatic resections. In open hepatic surgery, patients with intrapulmonary or intracardiac arteriovenous communications (i.e., patent foramen ovale [PFO]) are at risk for paradoxical air embolism, as air can pass into the systemic circulation. We ...

Paradoxical air embolism during hepatic resection.

Systemic venous air embolism is a serious complication in patients with chronic liver disease having liver surgery. Intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunting can permit air emboli to pass into the systemic circulation. We describe a case of paradoxical air embolism detected by transoesophageal echocardiography in a patient with cirrhosis who was having a hepatic resection.

Non-fatal paradoxical air embolism.