Air Bubbles in the Heart: A Case of Contrast Media Injection-Induced Venous Air Embolism

Venous air embolism (VAE) is more frequently recognized nowadays with the increased use of computed tomography (CT). It may be detected during or even after intravenous contrast media injection. A wide range of clinical manifestations exist, ranging from an incidental finding in a clinically asymptomatic patient to obstructive shock and circulatory failure. Those found incidentally are usually small and have no significant effect on circulatory physiology. Larger air emboli, however, may be potentially fatal, and therefore it is important to recognize such a phenomenon in the setting of intravenous contrast media injection.