Air embolism natural history, complications and prognosis
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Overview
Air embolism can range from subclinical to fatal. Treatment must be initiated immediately upon suspicion.
Natural History
Natural History
- Early clinical features include chest pain dyspnea, and altered mental status.
- Common complications of air embolism include, stroke, seizures, and infarction of various organs.
- Prognosis is generally variable,it depends on the size and location of the embolism , and the mortality rate of patients with air embolism is approximately 48-80%.[1]
- A 200-300ml bolus or 3-5 ml/kg of air in a human is fatal[2]
Complications
Complications
- Common complications of air embolism include, stroke, seizures, and infarction of various organs.
- A 200-300ml bolus or 3-5 ml/kg of air in a human is fatal[3]
Prognosis
Prognosis
- Prognosis is generally variable,it depends on the size and location of the embolism , and the mortality rate of patients with air embolism is approximately 48-80%.[4]
- Rapid treatment leads to a better prognosis
References
References
- ↑ A. M. Ho & E. Ling (1999). “Systemic air embolism after lung trauma”. Anesthesiology. 90 (2): 564–575. PMID 9952165. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ T. J. Toung, M. I. Rossberg & G. M. Hutchins (2001). “Volume of air in a lethal venous air embolism”. Anesthesiology. 94 (2): 360–361. PMID 11176104. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ T. J. Toung, M. I. Rossberg & G. M. Hutchins (2001). “Volume of air in a lethal venous air embolism”. Anesthesiology. 94 (2): 360–361. PMID 11176104. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ A. M. Ho & E. Ling (1999). “Systemic air embolism after lung trauma”. Anesthesiology. 90 (2): 564–575. PMID 9952165. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help)
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