What Researchers Did
Researchers described the case of a 52-year-old man who developed chest pain and heart strain after air entered his bloodstream during hemodialysis due to a faulty connection.
What They Found
The patient experienced chest pain, an ECG showing acute right heart strain, and an unusual bulge in his right mediastinum on X-ray. After hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO2T), he achieved a full recovery with complete relief of chest pain. Post-HBO2T, his chest X-ray showed resolution of the mediastinal bulge, and his ECG returned to baseline.
Canadian Relevance
This study covers gas embolism, which includes Arterial Gas Embolism, a Health Canada-recognised indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Study Limitations
As a single case report, the findings of this study cannot be broadly applied to all patients with iatrogenic pulmonary venous gas embolism.