Abstract / Summary
Systemic arterial air embolism is a rare but potentially devastating complication of bronchoscopic lung biopsy.A 68-year-old man with severe emphysema developed abrupt bradycardia, hypotension, and failure to regain consciousness after navigational bronchoscopy under general anaesthesia.Computed tomography demonstrated air within the left middle cerebral artery, and angiography confirmed proximal large-vessel occlusion.Urgent aspiration thrombectomy achieved complete reperfusion after one pass, with retrieved material compatible with thrombus.Despite technically successful reperfusion, major neurological deficits persisted.This case highlights haemodynamic collapse and delayed emergence as warning signs and supports rapid neuroimaging with selective endovascular treatment when an accessible large-vessel occlusion is present.