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World J Gastrointest Endosc. Aug 16, 2013; 5(8): 359-365
Published online Aug 16, 2013. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v5.i8.359
Published online Aug 16, 2013. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v5.i8.359
Air embolism complicating gastrointestinal endoscopy: A systematic review
Suman Donepudi, Disaya Chavalitdhamrong, Liping Pu, Peter V Draganov, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States
Liping Pu, Department of Medicine and Nursing, Suzhou Health College, Suzhou 215009, Jiangsu Province, China
Author contributions: Donepudi S and Chavalitdhamrong D performed the literature review and drafted the manuscript; Pu L performed the literature review; Draganov PV performed critical revision of the manuscript for all intellectual contents.
Correspondence to: Peter V Draganov, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Room HD 602, PO Box 100214, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States. dragapv@medicine.ufl.edu
Telephone: +1-352-2739474 Fax: +1-352-3923618
Received: May 29, 2013
Revised: July 12, 2013
Accepted: July 17, 2013
Published online: August 16, 2013
Revised: July 12, 2013
Accepted: July 17, 2013
Published online: August 16, 2013
Core Tip
Core tip: Air embolism at the time of endoscopy can cause cardiovascular, pulmonary, and neurologi cal symptoms. Symptom onset during the position change from prone to supine is characteristic and should trigger immediate suspicion for air embolism. Potentially lifesaving therapeutic measures should be promptly initiated, including placing the patient in Trendelenburg and left lateral decubitus position, high-flow oxygen, volume expansion and urgent hyperbaric oxygenation therapy.