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A Case of Cardiac Arrest Caused by Air Embolism from Routine Root Canal Procedure
Akarsh Parekh1,2, Joel McCormick1,3, Atheer Hussain-Amin1,3
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, McLaren Macomb Medical Center, Mount Clemens, Michigan, US.
Methodist Debakey Cardiovascular Journal
|October 10, 2022
Summary
A rare case of fatal venous air embolism (VAE) occurred during a routine dental root canal procedure. This highlights VAE as a potentially life-threatening complication of common dental treatments.
Area of Science:
- Medical Case Reports
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Dental Surgery
Background:
- Venous air embolism (VAE) is a critical condition where air enters the venous circulation, potentially reaching the heart and lungs.
- VAE typically results from positive or negative pressure dynamics during medical or surgical procedures.
- Routine dental procedures, while generally safe, carry a rare risk of VAE.
Observation:
- A 69-year-old male patient experienced cardiopulmonary arrest during a dental root canal under local anesthesia.
- Resuscitation was successful, achieving return of spontaneous circulation.
- Post-resuscitation imaging revealed significant air in the right ventricle and portal venous system, indicative of VAE.
Findings:
- The patient's cardiopulmonary arrest was attributed to a fatal venous air embolism.
- The embolism originated during the routine root canal procedure.
- Computed tomography confirmed the presence of air within the cardiac and portal venous systems.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for fatal venous air embolism during seemingly routine dental procedures.
- Healthcare providers should maintain awareness of VAE as a rare but severe complication in dental settings.
- Further investigation into preventative measures during dental procedures may be warranted.
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