[Massive air embolism complicating artificial ventilation (author's transl)].

A 1740 g premature infant being treated by intermittent positive pressure ventilation with PEEP because of respiratory distress syndrome died from massive air embolism occuring in two attacks on the 14th and 16th day of life. The pathogenesis of systemic air embolism in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome is discussed and the difficulties in diagnosis as well as the importance of this complication regarding possible cerebral damage are considered. There is no conclusive information about the incidence of this serious event available at present.