Cerebral air embolism following a hemodialysis session successfully treated with hyperbaric oxygen: a case report

Abstract

We describe here the first case of cerebral air embolism (CAE) due to a dysfunctional long-term central venous catheter for hemodialysis in a 39-year-old woman with a history of lung transplantation. Air emboli are rare but potentially fatal complications of hemodialysis, in particular, when they involve the brain. Early management with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is critical to prevent deterioration of the patient’s condition. In this case, our patient presented her first symptoms, likely a seizure due to multiple cerebral air emboli, during her hemodialysis session. She was then monitored in the Nephrology Intensive Care Unit in accordance to the medical reference center (with HBOT). Twelve hours later, she experienced secondary deterioration, presenting with acute aphasia, left hemineglect syndrome, and hemiplegia. She was rapidly transferred to the medical reference center for HBOT. The patient fully recovered after receiving three sessions of HBOT. She also presented a seizure during each HBOT session, attributed to hyperoxia. She never experienced another seizure after the episode of CAE. This case highlights the importance of considering patients who have a lung transplant to be at increased risk for air emboli during hemodialysis and the need to rapidly recognize symptoms and start treatment, including HBOT, to optimize recovery.