The use of mechanical ventilation to support a neonate with acute respiratory distress can result in systemic air embolism, which can be fatal.
Features:
(1) neonate with respiratory distress syndrome, often premature
(2) ventilatory support, including CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure)
(3) sudden clinical deterioration
(4) air emboli seen on imaging studies
Affected infants may show evidence of:
(1) an air leak
(2) interstitial emphysema
(3) pneumonmediastinum, pneumopericardium, other
Differential diagnosis:
(1) other sources of air emboli (umbilical catheter, etc)
(2) other complication of ventilatory support
Newer techniques of ventilatory support use lung-protective strategies that reduce the risk of air embolism and barotraumas.
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Purpose: To evaluate a neonate with the respiratory distress syndrome for evidence of systemic air embolism.
Specialty: Pulmonology, Pedatrics
Objective: risk factors, complications
ICD-10: P22.0, T79.0, O88.0,
