Air embolism after intravenous injection of contrast material

Venous air embolism, though considered rare, occurs more frequently than it is recognized. We report the case of a 54-year-old man who was incidentall y found to hare air in the left brachiocephalic vein and right ventricle af ter contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), Air embolism has been noted to occur after contrast-enhanced CT examination in up to 23% of patients. Because these emboli are small to moderate size and are usually venous, the patients are usually asymptomatic, We review the pathophysiology of air em bolization and the recommended treatment.