Fatal venous air embolism in the setting of hemodialysis and pulmonary hypertension: A point of care ultrasound diagnosis

Abstract

Air emboli are rare and often difficult to diagnose. Transesophageal echocardiography remains the most definitive method of diagnosis, but this is not feasible in emergencies.We present a case of fatal air embolism in the setting of hemodialysis with recent evidence of pulmonary hypertension. The diagnosis was made by visualizing air in the right ventricle using bedside point of care ultrasound (POCUS). While POCUS is not routinely used for the diagnosis of air embolism, its accessibility makes it a powerful yet practical emerging tool for the diagnosis of respiratory and cardiovascular emergencies.