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Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Induction of Cerebral Arterial Gas Embolism in Rat
Published on: October 18, 2024
Massive cerebral air embolism after bronchoscopy and central line manipulation
Joerg Seeburger1, Michael A Borger, Denis R Merk
1Heart Center, Leipzig University, Struempelstrasse 39, 04289 Leipzig, Germany. j.seeburger@web.de
Abstract:
A 50-year-old woman who underwent double-lung transplantation suffered a massive cerebral air embolism with severe neurological impairment and temporary hemodynamic deterioration after surveillance bronchoscopy and central line removal. We hypothesize that this was due to microscopic pulmonary parenchymal injury during bronchoscopy as well as air entrainment during removal of the central venous line, with subsequent transpulmonary passage into the cerebral vessels.
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