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Updated: May 31, 2026
07:10
Measurement of the Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient and Transjugular Liver Biopsy
Published on: June 18, 2020
Iatrogenic hepatic pneumovenogram.
Govarthanan Rajendiran1, Sulaiman Rathore, Gurmeet Sidhu
1Department of Critical Care Medicine, Prince George's Hospital Center, 3001 Hospital Drive, 5th Floor, Cheverly, MD, 20785, USA.
Critical Care Research and Practice
|June 21, 2011
Summary
Venous air embolism (VAE) from central venous catheterization is a preventable complication. Prompt diagnosis and strict precautions are crucial, especially in critically ill patients, to prevent severe outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Vascular Surgery
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Central venous catheterization is a common procedure with potential iatrogenic risks.
- Venous air embolism (VAE) is a rare but serious complication of central venous catheterization.
- Subclinical VAE cases often go unreported, complicating incidence assessment.
Observation:
- VAE can occur during emergency central line placement.
- Symptoms of VAE are often nonspecific, requiring high clinical suspicion.
- Large VAE can lead to acute cor pulmonale, asystole, and sudden death.
Findings:
- Accidental air entry during central venous catheterization can cause VAE.
- Diagnosis of VAE in critically ill patients presents a significant challenge.
- Arterial air embolism is a risk in patients with shunts or patent foramen ovale.
Implications:
- Strict adherence to preventative measures is essential during central line placement.
- Early recognition and management of VAE are critical for patient outcomes.
- Understanding VAE risks informs procedural safety protocols in critical care settings.
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