The Utility of Pulse Fluoroscopy During Mediport Insertion to Diagnose Air Embolism

An otherwise healthy man in his 40s recently diagnosed with esophageal adenocarcinoma sustained an air embolism during the insertion of a mediport under mild sedation that was noted while using pulse fluoroscopy to ensure good visibility of adequate placement of the catheter tip. Pulse fluoroscopy allowed the early detection of a potentially catastrophic situation caused by air in the right heart and main pulmonary artery, thus allowing prompt correction of the mistake that had allowed the air embolism to occur. Pulse fluoroscopy eliminates or greatly reduces the blurred vision of highly mobile objects and enhances the view of low contrast objects thus enhancing imaging quality.