Life-threatening air embolism during ERCP

Patient #1, a 45-year-old man who was being monitored because of chronic pancreatitis, had anicteric cholestasis and pain caused by double-duct stricture. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was undertaken using air, with the patient under general anesthesia with intubation ([Fig. 1]). After short sphincterotomies had been done, self-expanding metal stents were inserted (10 mm diameter for the common bile duct [CBD], and 6 mm diameter for the pancreatic duct, both 60 mm length;). At 1 hour after the procedure was started, the patient became hypocapnic. An inferolateral ST segment elevation mandated coronary angiography. Gas bubbles were visualized in the heart cavities ([Fig. 2]), and echocardiography showed a patent foramen ovale. Administration of pure oxygen and aspiration of bubbles improved the patient’s hemodynamic status. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed ischemic lesions. The patient was transferred quickly for initiation of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). He was referred, 1 month later, to a rehabilitation unit because of nonregressing tetraparesis.

Fig. 1 Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) showing double duct dilatation in patient #1.

Fig. 2 Coronary angiography in patient #1, showing gas bubbles (arrows) in the heart cavities.

Patient #2 was an 87-year-old man was scheduled for ERCP to remove a 15-mm gallstone from the CBD. ERCP was undertaken using air, with the patient under general anesthesia with intubation. Although a long biliary sphincterotomy was made, extraction of the gallstone was unsuccessful. A 45-mm 10-Fr Teflon-coated stent was inserted. At 1 hour after the start of ERCP, the patient was seen to be having a cardiac arrest. After resuscitation procedures had been carried out, echocardiography visualized air in the heart cavities; the foramen ovale was not patent. The patient was transferred for initiation of HBOT. He returned home, without sequelae, on day 16.

Air embolism is a complication of ERCP that has a mortality of 40 %. Echocardiography is the diagnostic exploration of choice and can also determine whether the foramen ovale is patent; this condition can lead to paradoxical embolism. A whole-body tomography determines the extent of the lesions.

Oxygen is the specific treatment for air embolism, and should be started without delay, to reduce the bubble size. HBOT maintains oxygen supply to ischemic tissues while reducing the intracranial hypertension, and the most favorable neurological results are obtained when HBOT is initiated quickly [1]. The patient’s survival and functional prognosis depend directly on rapid diagnosis and treatment.

Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_CPL_1AK_2AC

Competing interests: None

• Reference

• 1 Raju GS, Bendixen BH, Khan J et al. Cerebrovascular accident during endoscopy: consider cerebral air embolism, a rapidly reversible event with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Gastrointest Endosc 1998; 47: 70-73