Massive air embolism in an adult following positive pressure ventilation.

A 95-year-old woman presented in cardiac arrest. She had been intubated and positive pressure ventilation had been administered by paramedics. Air was aspirated during cannulation of the subclavian vein and the femoral artery. Chest roentgenogram revealed the heart and great vessels filled with air. Massive air embolism caused by positive pressure ventilation is a well described complication in premature infants, but has not, to our knowledge, been previously reported in an adult.