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Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Air embolism natural history, complications and prognosis

Introduction

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

  1. ↑ A. M. Ho & E. Ling (1999). “Systemic air embolism after lung trauma”. Anesthesiology. 90 (2): 564–575. PMID 9952165. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  2. ↑ 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)
  3. ↑ 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)
  4. ↑ A. M. Ho & E. Ling (1999). “Systemic air embolism after lung trauma”. Anesthesiology. 90 (2): 564–575. PMID 9952165. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]