The occurrence of air embolism with neurologic complications during the insertion of central venous catheters is well known, but the development of a cortical blindness has not been stress.
The case of a woman patient is described, who, after the puncturing of the subclavian vein, developed a state of confusion and transient left hemiplegia, followed by the loss of sight. Blindness was associated with normal pupilary light reflexes and no observable changes in the fundi, features identifying it as cortical. Possible pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition12:526-527 1988)
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Kam CA, Yoong FFG, Ganendran A.: Cortical blindness following hypoxia during cardiac arrest. Anaesth Intensive Care6:143-145, 1978
2.
McAuley FD: Prolonged visual failure following cardiac arrest due to accidental hypothermia . Br J Ophthalmol48:628-629, 1964
3.
Kashuk JL, Penn I.: Air embolism after central venous catheterization. Surg Gynecol Obstet159:249-252, 1984
4.
Tracey JA, Vartian V.: Systemic air embolism following manual lung inflation. Can Anaesth Soc J29:272-274, 1982
5.
Grace DM: Air embolism with neurologic complications: A potential hazard of central venous catheters. Can J Surg20:51-55, 1977
