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Critical Care
Published in: Critical Care 5/2003

Open Access 01-10-2003 | Research

Air embolism as a cause of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome: a case report

Authors: Tarun Kapoor, Guillermo Gutierrez

Published in: Critical Care | Issue 5/2003

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Abstract

We describe a case of systemic inflammatory response syndrome associated with air embolism following the removal of a central line catheter, coupled with a deep inspiratory maneuver. The presence of a patent foramen ovale allowed the passage of a clinically significant amount of air from the venous circulation to the systemic circulation. The interaction of air with the systemic arterial endothelium may have triggered the release of endothelium-derived cytokines, resulting in the physiologic response of systemic inflammatory response syndrome.
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Metadata
Title
Air embolism as a cause of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome: a case report
Authors
Tarun Kapoor
Guillermo Gutierrez
Publication date
01-10-2003
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Critical Care / Issue 5/2003
Electronic ISSN: 1364-8535
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/cc2362

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