Cerebral Infarction from Arterial Air Emboli: Advanced Pathophysiology, Imaging Diagnosis, and Evidence-Based Management
Keywords: Cerebral air embolism, arterial air emboli, cerebral infarction, cerebral air embolism CT, cerebral air embolism MRI, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, paradoxical embolism, patent foramen ovale, brain infarction imaging, neuroradiology Introduction Cerebral infarction from arterial air emboli , also known as cerebral air embolism (CAE) , represents a rare but devastating neurological emergency that can lead to severe ischemic brain injury, seizures, coma, and death. Despite its rarity, CAE has gained increasing recognition due to the widespread use of invasive vascular procedures, hemodialysis, central venous catheterization, cardiothoracic surgery, and neurointerventional techniques. The growing complexity of modern medicine has paradoxically increased the incidence of iatrogenic arterial air embolism, making early diagnosis and management essential for neurologists, radiologists, intensivists, and emergency physicians. From a pathophysiological perspective, arterial air em...