Air embolism

From Citizendium
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This article is a stub and thus not approved.
Main Article
Discussion
Related Articles  [?]
Bibliography  [?]
External Links  [?]
Citable Version  [?]
 
This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer.

In health care, an air embolism is "blocking of a blood vessel by air bubbles that enter the circulatory system, usually after trauma; surgical procedures, or changes in atmospheric pressure."[1][2] Air embolism may occur after removal of central venous catheterization.[3]

Treatment

Place the patient in one of the following positions that will cause the air to move to a nonobstructing position in the right ventrical:

  • Left lateral decubitus position (Durant's maneuver)
  • Trendelenburg position

References

  1. Anonymous (2023), Air embolism (English). Medical Subject Headings. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  2. Muth CM, Shank ES (2000). "Gas embolism.". N Engl J Med 342 (7): 476-82. PMID 10675429.
  3. Pronovost PJ, Wu AW, Sexton JB (2004). "Acute decompensation after removing a central line: practical approaches to increasing safety in the intensive care unit.". Ann Intern Med 140 (12): 1025-33. PMID 15197020.