Arterial air embolism as a complication of blunt thoracic trauma

Systemic air embolism is a dramatic event frequently resulting in death. Th e clinical manifestations are polymorphic and unspecific. We report a case of a systemic air embolism in a patient with lung contusion. We wish to aro use a sensibility for this clinical picture,which seems to be underestimate d in its frequency and importance, and discuss concepts of mechanical venti lation in patients with blunt thoracic trauma.