Air Embolism in the Newborn: Rare Complication of Intensive Care Therapy in Children

Abstract

Systemic air embolism in neonates, either premature or full term, necessitating mechanical ventilation is a devastating and usually fatal condition. We describe three cases of this complication, two in mechanically assisted preterm babies, and one in a full-term dysmorphic patient. Causes and possible management are described.

Bedside Ultrasound Detection of Systemic Air Embolism Secondary to Fulminant Necrotizing Enterocolitis in a Neonate With Congenital Heart Disease: A Case Report

“…Systemic air embolism in neonates is a fulminant condition with significant morbidity and mortality [1,2]. It had been reported in premature infants with hyaline membrane disease on mechanical ventilation, following surgical procedures, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation [1][2][3][4][5][6].…”

“…Systemic air embolism in neonates is a fulminant condition with significant morbidity and mortality [1,2]. It had been reported in premature infants with hyaline membrane disease on mechanical ventilation, following surgical procedures, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Its occurrence as a consequence of necrotizing enterocolitis is extremely rare and the diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis remains challenging [1,2,5].…”

“…It had been reported in premature infants with hyaline membrane disease on mechanical ventilation, following surgical procedures, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Its occurrence as a consequence of necrotizing enterocolitis is extremely rare and the diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis remains challenging [1,2,5]. Hence, bedside ultrasound may be a potential clinical adjunct which can be used for early diagnosis and prompt appropriate targeted management [7][8][9].…”

Embolismo aéreo neonatal

“…7 Como consecuencia del EA puede haber colapso cardiovascular repentino o deterioro súbito de la oxigenación con hipotensión refractaria, de ahí que en muchos casos el diagnóstico sea en el estudio post mortem. 8 El ultrasonido (USG) a la cama del paciente es una herramienta fundamental que en la actualidad se utiliza en las terapias intensivas. 9 A partir de la implementación de programas de USG en el punto de atención (POCUS, por sus siglas en inglés) en diferentes UCIN se han reportado varios casos de EA, incluyendo sobrevivientes.…”

Cardiac Air Embolism in Neonates: A Hemodynamic Perspective

“…Most commonly, air is identified in the heart or major blood vessels and rarely in the brain. 1,2 There are numerous reports in the literature describing its presentation and often fatal outcome in neonates. 3 In most scenarios, AE results from high ventilator pressures used for managing preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) especially during the presurfactant era.…”