Massive transient pulmonary air embolism during permanent cardiac pacemaker implantation

Abstract

Pulmonary air embolism is a rare complication with a high probability of death. We present an air embolism case during permanent cardiac pacemaker implantation procedure. When the patient worsened hemodynamically, we saw a large air embolism in the main pulmonary trunk. Air embolism can be fatal, it is always iatrogenic, but is an avoidable complication.