Myocardial Ischemia-Associated Arterial Embolism Management from Pulmonary Cryotherapy

Watchman devices are increasingly implanted in patients with atrial fibrillation who cannot be anticoagulated. We report a case of a patient undergoing Watchman device insertion complicated by cerebral arterial gas embolism. The treatment was delayed because the diagnosis was not initially considered. The patient was eventually treated with hyperbaric oxygen but sustained permanent disabilities. Watchman device implantation has a near 1% risk of arterial gas embolism. The possibility of cerebral gas embolism should be considered in patients emerging from anesthesia with neurologic deficits.