Air Embolus Death: $1 Million Settlement
2024 Medical Malpractice Case Report
By Attorney Krysia J. Syska
Suffolk Superior Court, Massachusetts
Improper removal of central venous catheter results in air embolus and death
Plaintiff’s decedent suffered a venous air embolus due to the improper removal of a central venous catheter. She was being treated in the hospital for optic neuritis/neuromyelitis and required the placement of the right internal jugular catheter for administration of plasmapheresis treatment. She received her last treatment on the day of her discharge.
Defendant came to remove the catheter and documented removing the line with positive pressure and holding pressure for 3-4 minutes with hemostasis.
Unfortunately, within minutes thereafter the decedent became symptomatic with difficulty breathing. Defendant returned and ordered a stat CTA confirming an air embolus and pulmonary edema. A more occlusive dressing was applied however she went into respiratory failure and PEA arrest. Resuscitative efforts were unsuccessful.
Plaintiff’s claim centered on the failure of the defendant to apply a completely occlusive dressing after removal of the catheter to prevent the introduction of air. That was the cause of the embolus and could have been prevented.
The claim was resolved for One Million Dollars during the course of discovery.
Lubin & Meyer attorneys Andrew C. Meyer and Krysia J. Syska represented the plaintiff in this medical malpractice lawsuit.
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