# A Rare Case of Delayed Cerebral Air Embolism Occurring 7 H After Central Line Removal **Authors:** Bejan Kanga, Chiedozie Udeh, Parvez Masood, Hayley Andre, David Anthony PMC · DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.72200 · Clinical Case Reports · 2026-03-05 ## TL;DR A rare case shows how air can enter the bloodstream hours after removing a central line, causing a cerebral air embolism. ## Contribution Highlights a delayed cerebral air embolism case 7 hours after central line removal due to a fibrin sheath. ## Key findings - Air embolism occurred 7 hours post-central line removal. - Fibrin sheath reinforced a vein-to-dermis fistula, allowing air entry. - CT confirmed intracerebral air as a result. ## Abstract Venous air embolism is a rare complication of central venous catheter insertion that can have devastating consequences. Delayed air entrainment may occur in the presence of fibrin sheath formation via reinforcement of a vein‐to‐dermis fistula, which can lead to air embolism several hours after line removal. CT demonstrating scattered intracerebral air 7 h after central line removal. ## Full-text entities - **Diseases:** Cerebral Air Embolism (MESH:D004618), aphasia (MESH:D001037), aortic-esophageal fistula (MESH:D004937), hyperventilation (MESH:D006985), occlusion of pulmonary, coronary, and/or cerebral vasculature (MESH:D054059), hemiparesis (MESH:D010291), thrombus (MESH:D013927), depressed level of consciousness (MESH:D003244), PFO (MESH:D054092), fistula (MESH:D005402), panic attack (MESH:D016584), infarct (MESH:D007238), infective endocarditis (MESH:D004696), loss of consciousness (MESH:D014474), anxiety (MESH:D001007), rightward gaze deviation (MESH:D010262), cardiopulmonary collapse (MESH:D006323), neurologic deficits (MESH:D009461), hypoxemia (MESH:D000860), mitral regurgitation (MESH:D008944), right ventricular strain (MESH:D013180), hypercapnia (MESH:D006935) - **Chemicals:** oxygen (MESH:D010100) - **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606] ## Full text _Full body text omitted from this summary view._ Fetch the complete paper as Markdown: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12962839/full.md ## Figures 3 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12962839/full.md ## References 11 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12962839/full.md --- Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12962839