Lethal coronary air embolism caused by the removal of a double-lumen hemodialysis catheter: a case report

Abstract

Coronary air embolism is a rare event. We report a case in which an acute myocardial infarction occurred in the region supplied by the right coronary artery after the removal of a double-lumen hemodialysis catheter. Emergent coronary angiography revealed air bubbles obstructing the mid-segment of the right coronary artery with slow flow phenomenon distally. The patient expired due to myocardial infarction.

Keywords

• air
• catheters
• coronary
• embolism
• renal dialysis