Fatal left atrial air embolism as a complication of percutaneous transthoracic lung biopsy: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous lung biopsy is a common protocol in the context of diagnostic thoracic oncology, but entails a risk of complications including systematic air embolism (SAE). While SAE is often well tolerated, it can be difficult to treat and may result in rapid mortality in some cases.

CASE SUMMARY

We report a rare case of left atrial SAE in a 71-year-old woman who underwent a CT-guided lung biopsy of a pulmonary nodule in the posterior basal segment of the right lower lobe. Shortly following needle extraction, she experienced a mild cough, hemoptysis, rapid-onset unconsciousness, and cardiopulmonary arrest. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was immediately performed, but the patient died 40 min after the procedure. A closer review of collected CT scans revealed the presence of a large volume of air within the left atrium.

CONCLUSION

Although SAE is generally well tolerated and asymptomatic, interventional radiologists must be aware of the risk of fatal outcomes and establish appropriate emergency management protocols. In this report, the characteristics, mechanisms, and treatment recommendations associated with SAE are discussed in an effort to improve the survival of affected patients.

Key Words: Systematic air embolism, Computed tomography-guided lung biopsy, Bronchovenous fistula, Risk-factors, Emergency intervention, Case report

Core Tip: Systemic air embolism (SAE) is a rare but potentially fatal complication of certain procedures. Although some risk factors and emergency treatments for SAE have been proposed, a proportion of patients nonetheless suffer from catastrophic SAE even if procedures are performed by experienced operators, ultimately experiencing poor outcomes. Lesion localization above the level of the left atrium is a risk factor for SAE following percutaneous lung biopsy. Positive pressure ventilation may exacerbate SAE-related episodes in patients suffering from catastrophic air embolism, particularly in those who required cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

INTRODUCTION

Computed tomography (CT)-guided lung biopsy is a widely accepted, minimally invasive procedure with a high diagnostic yield for a variety of peripheral lung nodules. The most frequently reported complications of this procedure include pneumothorax, pulmonary hemorrhage, and hemoptysis, which are generally managed conservatively[1]. Systemic air embolism (SAE) is a very rare complication of percutaneous CT-guided lung biopsy, with reported air embolism incidence rates of 0.02%-0.07% to 0.21%-4.8% when including undiagnosed asymptomatic patients following systematic thoracic CT scans[2]. One recent study explored the rate of air embolism in 2026 patients that had undergone percutaneous CT-guided lung biopsy, all of whom underwent general post-biopsy lung and brain CT scans. This analysis revealed an incidence rate of 0.9%, while just three cases (0.14%) presented with obvious clinical symptoms[3]. Owing to these extremely low incidence rates, only case reports and small retrospective studies on this topic have been published to date.

The presentations and outcomes of SAE are linked to the degrees of end-organ involvement and associated anoxic damage, which are, in turn, determined by the volume of the air embolism and the site where it ultimately becomes lodged. The most vulnerable systems include the cerebral, spinal cord, and coronary circulatory systems[4]. When affected by an air embolism within the coronary arteries, patients may experience arrhythmia and acute coronary syndrome, while cerebral involvement can cause seizures, hemiparesis, pupillary dilation, or altered mental status. While SAE is generally well tolerated and asymptomatic, symptoms can manifest within minutes, resulting in hemodynamic instability, shock, and, in some cases, unconsciousness. When SAE is suspected, brain and chest CT scans should thus be performed to confirm the presence of an air embolism after terminating the associated procedure.

Here, we describe the case of a rare, catastrophic SAE that occurred immediately after percutaneous CT-guided lung biopsy in a 71-year-old woman. The clinical presentation and mechanistic basis for this complication are discussed, and practical tips for the management of SAE are reviewed.

CASE PRESENTATION

Chief complaints

A 71-year-old woman visited the Hangzhou First People’s Hospital for the evaluation of a lung lesion.

History of present illness

The patient was admitted for an incidental finding of an 11-mm partially-solid ground-glass nodule in the right lower lobe of the lung during a screening CT scan conducted 1 mo previously. The patient had no complaints other than a productive cough and a mild degree of dyspnea over the previous week.

History of past illness

The patient had a 6-year history of hypertension and had been taking amlodipine regularly.

Personal and family history

The patient was free of any known congenital disease.

Physical examination

Vital signs were within normal limits at time of admission, with a heart rate of 90 bpm, blood pressure of 151/61 mmHg, respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute, and temperature of 36.8℃. Her physical examination was normal.

Laboratory examinations

The following examinations were performed: Electrocardiogram, blood cell count, C-reactive protein, and coagulation function tests, including activated partial thromboplastin and prothrombin time tests. All results were found to be within the normal ranges.

Imaging examinations

A CT scan identified a region of ground-glass opacity in the right lower lobe of the lung and scattered dense consolidation (Figure 1A). Echocardiography revealed moderate aortic regurgitation and mild mitral regurgitation.

Figure 1 Computed tomography findings in the patient before and after biopsy. A: Prior to the procedure, computed tomography (CT) scanning was conducted to establish an appropriate needle trajectory, with the nodule of interest being located just on the posterior basal segment of the right lower lobe (black arrow); B: The co-axial 15-gauge needle of a core biopsy instrument was inserted through the nodule. During the first round of biopsy procedure, there was no air in the left atrium; C: After the second round of biopsy, a massive volume of air traveled to the left atrium (white arrow); D: CT scanning revealed a faint connection between blood vessels and the airways.

FINAL DIAGNOSIS

The patient was thus diagnosed with pulmonary nodules and pulmonary infection.

TREATMENT

Prior to the procedure, CT scanning was conducted to determine an appropriate needle trajectory, and the patient was instructed to cease full inspiration when directed. The nodule of interest was located on the posterior basal segment of the right lower lobe of the lung, and the prone position thus allowed for the best access route to this nodule. Under CT guidance, a co-axial 15-gauge needle was used to access the nodule with an Argon disposable core biopsy instrument (Argon Medical Devices, United States), and three biopsy samples were collected (Figure 1B). The introducer needle was then removed. The patient remained cooperative throughout the procedure without any coughing or deep breathing. The extraction procedure was performed two times. Shortly after needle extraction, she developed a mild cough and hemoptysis followed by breathlessness, further hemoptysis, near-immediate unconsciousness, and cardiopulmonary arrest. Her pupils were bilaterally symmetrical and approximately 0.2 cm in diameter. The patient was immediately turned on her back and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed, with bag-mask ventilation being used for airway management until advanced intubation could be performed. Sputum aspiration was performed and the hemorrhagic fluid volume was estimated to be approximately 100 mL. Ainephrine (1 mg) was injected two times, but the patient continued to lack an obvious breath or pulse. Endotracheal intubation was successfully performed and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was continuously sustained. Meanwhile, thoracentesis was performed to exclude pneumothorax, and bedside ultrasonography did not reveal any fluid within the pericardial cavity.

OUTCOME AND FOLLOW-UP

The patient did not respond to resuscitation, and was declared dead 40 min after the procedure. A closer postprocedural review of collected CT scans revealed a massive volume of air in the left atrium (Figure 1C) and a faint connection between blood vessels and airways (Figure 1D). Her relatives declined a postmortem study.

DISCUSSION

SAE is a potentially life-threatening event that requires prompt diagnosis and effective emergency treatment in all cases. Early animal experiments revealed that lethal air doses for rabbits and dogs were 0.5–0.75 mL/kg and 7.5–15.0 mL/kg, respectively[5]. However, given the clear variability among species, these data cannot be readily translated to humans. In 2001, Thomas JK first documented a precise lethal air volume in humans (200 mL) rather than retrospectively estimating this lethal volume[6]. Another study found that, in cases where specific vessels or organs were involved such as the cerebral circulation of the pulmonary vein, small volumes of air (2 mL and 0.5-1.0 mL, respectively) were sufficient to result in cardiac arrest[7,8]. This suggests that a smaller volume of gas is necessary to cause mortality when the air embolism is proximal to the right heart. It is thus likely that even a small volume of air within the coronary and cerebrovascular system can cause severe symptoms and complications owing to the vulnerability of these systems to hypoxia.

The factors that can give rise to SAE during transthoracic needle core biopsy are not fully understood, with three potential mechanisms having been described to date. First, a bronchovenous fistula between the intra-alveolar or intrabronchial air space and the adjacent pulmonary vein can be created when the needle passes through the lung parenchyma. Second, when the opening of the needle is not immediately sealed following stylet withdrawal, this can result in direct communication between the atmosphere and the pulmonary vein, particularly in any context that induces a negative pressure gradient and when there is a communication channel between the vasculature and the airway, as may occur upon coughing during a lung biopsy (Valsalva), in the context of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) ventilation, or in those with obstructive pulmonary disease[9,10]. Third, air may be sucked into the pulmonary arterial system and may reach the pulmonary venous circulation by traversing the pulmonary microvasculature. Evidence from case reports suggests that certain factors can increase the risk of SAE, including the use of a larger biopsy needle, smaller lesions, procedures performed for a cystic or cavitary lesion, and patients with vasculitis, inflammation, or coagulopathy, although the relevance of these risk factors remains controversial[11-13].

As demonstrated in this report, the patient suspended full inspiration during the biopsy procedure, and the hollow portion of the needle remained occluded at all times through this procedure. As such, the formation of a transient bronchovenous fistula between a pulmonary vein and a small bronchus or alveolus may be the most likely explanation for these results, with cough, prone positioning, and lesion location all being relevant risk factors. In this patient, a mild cough and hemoptysis developed that, in turn, stimulated forceful coughing, resulting in the introduction of air into the damaged pulmonary vein[14]. Furthermore, the target lesion was located in the posterior basal segment of the right lower lobe, and the patient was thus placed in the prone position, resulting in a puncture site at the level of the heart such that the pulmonary venous pressure at this location was lower than left atrial pressure[14]. This position is more likely to allow for air entry into the left atrium through a bronchovenous fistula[15]. If the patient had instead been placed in an ipsilateral dependent position, which is a supine position with partial left side elevation, it is possible that the risk of this outcome could have been reduced[16].

This patient experienced rapid-onset unconsciousness and cardiac arrest towards the end of this biopsy procedure. Given her clinical signs and rapid deterioration, together with postprocedural chest CT images, we posit that a rapid and considerable volume of air was introduced into the pulmonary vein and the left atria, leading to obstructed cardiac inflow and outflow. As more air became trapped, this led to a critical reduction in cardiac output that ultimately resulted in systemic cardiovascular collapse, potentially complicating Stokes-Adams attacks. Unfortunately, the possibility of cranial air embolism could not be confirmed because the severity of the condition did not allow further examination and an autopsy was refused.

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment and the Trendelenburg position are currently recognized as a first-line treatments for air embolisms located within the coronary and cerebral vasculature. However, in clinical contexts, some patients are unable to undergo such interventions owing to rapid and severe cardiovascular collapse, as in the present case. Most patients exhibit adverse outcomes even if cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the inhalation of 100% oxygen are immediately provided when catastrophic air embolism is suspected[17]. One possible explanation for this fact is that PEEP and continuous positive airway pressure at resuscitation are considered to be independent risk factors with the potential to worsen SAE-related episodes. After a positive gradient between alveolar pressure and pulmonary venous pressure has been established, positive pressure ventilation increases pulmonary pressure through the application of high inflation pressures, thereby exacerbating the risk of air becoming trapped in addition to potentially facilitating air entry. Available data regarding the appropriate treatment of hemodynamically unstable patients suffering from SAE following lung biopsy are very limited. When basic therapy is unavailable, some reports suggest that the aspiration of air directly from the circulation via intracardiac catheter aspiration can be a safe and effective treatment for this condition, and studies using animal models have confirmed the feasibility of air embolism aspiration[5,18,19]. Furthermore, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a rescue therapy can be implemented to provide cardiopulmonary support and adequate gas exchange or perfusion pending etiologic SAE treatment. In a case report published by Seong et al[19], immediate resuscitation and ECMO were used to treat a 61-year-old man who suffered from paradoxical SAE during the removal of a central venous catheter. However, ECMO entails team management issues and requires a multidisciplinary approach. Moreover, the evidence regarding the value of ECMO use is limited to small case series, and its role in this context is not well established[20,21]. Even so, there may be a treatment benefit with ECMO when patients exhibit persistent cardiovascular collapse and are unresponsive to CPR.

In summary, percutaneous CT-guided lung biopsy is a widely accepted approach to the targeted analysis of lung lesions, permitting a range of downstream pathological and mutational analyses. While awareness of SAE has grown in recent years, diagnosing it remains challenging, and mortality rates remain high. Even when this procedure is performed by trained radiologists and patients are cooperative, SAE can inevitably occur in rare cases. There is thus an urgent need for high-quality prospective studies of SAE-related risk factors in order to guide appropriate patient risk stratification when selecting management strategies. Some SAE-related risk factors are inevitable. For example, when lesions are located in the dorsal and basal segments of the lower lobe of the lung, a prone position is always considered to be the preferred choice. Biopsies for pathological pulmonary abnormalities are more likely to be accompanied by prolonged exposure of the vessel lumen to the airway. To increase the safety of this procedure, clinicians should thus be aware of the courses of the airway and the adjacent vasculature in high-risk patients. Positive pressure ventilation also has the potential to exacerbate SAE progression. Further research is necessary to determine whether a lack of PEEP or temporary PEEP reductions are beneficial in the context of SAE-related cardiac arrest incidence.

Limitations of this report include the fact that no autopsy was performed, and as such, the cause of death was determined based upon clinical speculation. Furthermore, owing to the rarity of catastrophic SAE, our experience with optimal treatment is very limited and this patient ultimately experienced a poor outcome.

CONCLUSION

Herein, we have described a rare case of left atrial SAE following CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy that resulted in sudden death. As this case demonstrates, SAE can be a life-threatening condition, making it essential that high-risk patients be identified. There may be an interval of just minutes between symptom onset and circulatory collapse, and as such, if this complication is suspected, prompt and effective emergency intervention is essential. It is critical that appropriate emergency equipment and medications be made available in first-aid kits. If possible, immediate trans-catheter removal of the SAE or ECMO support has the potential to reduce mortality rates. However, owing to the rarity of symptomatic SAE, there will be few future opportunities to pool studies for future prospective randomized trials. More clinical data and high-quality systematic reviews are expected to provide further insight into the most appropriate treatment of patients affected by SAE in the coming years.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We thank all the reviewers for their assistance and support.