Work

Air bubbles in the anterior chamber associated with double lung transplantation: Evidence of cryptic transmission

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Purpose: To highlight ocular air bubbles as a diagnostically relevant indicator of systemic air embolism. Observations: We describe a case of a patient who developed air bubbles in his anterior chamber following double lung transplant and failed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) cannulation. The air bubbles subsequently self-resolved without intervention prior to the patient's passing. Conclusions and Importance: We suspect the air bubbles developed due to air entering the anterior chamber from an endogenous, coronary pathway. Claim of priority declaration: After conducting a literature review on May 28, 2025, utilizing PubMed and Google Scholar, using the key words ("air embolus," "air embolism," "air bubbles," "eye," "anterior chamber"), we did not find any prior reports of patients with air bubbles in the anterior chamber following systemic embolization events.

Source: American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.ajoc.2025.102455

Authors: Florence Yan, Christopher Zhu, Ricardo Couso

Institution: Temple University Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Retinal and Optic Conditions

Subfield: Ophthalmology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,590