Key result
High-flow oxygen and procedural pause resolve suspected venous air embolism during pacemaker implantation.
Why the study?
Venous air embolism is a rare but serious complication during pacemaker implantation that requires prompt recognition and management.
Case Report (n=1)
Sudden unexplained hypoxia and seizure-like activity during pacemaker lead manipulation should raise immediate suspicion of venous air embolism, which can be rapidly reversed with 100% high-flow oxygen.
May alert clinicians to venous air embolism in unexplained procedural hypoxia; case report leaves open need for incidence and management studies.
Venous air embolism is a rare complication of pacemaker implantation. A 78 year old man developed sudden generalized stiffness, seizure‐like activity, and severe hypoxia (oxygen saturation 70%) during lead manipulation without hypotension or arrhythmia. Prompt recognition, high‐flow oxygen, and temporary procedural interruption led to complete recovery without neurological sequelae.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Ansari et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Complete heart block (n=1). Permanent pacemaker implantation (lead manipulation) was evaluated on Clinical recovery from suspected venous air embolism. Prompt administration of high-flow oxygen and temporary procedural interruption resolved sudden severe hypoxia and seizure-like activity suspected to be venous air embolism during pacemaker implantation.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: