
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.
Air embolism physical examination
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Patients with an air embolism usually appear distressed and can have symptoms from various different organ systems.
Physical Examination
Physical Examination
- Patients with air embolism usually appear distressed.
- Physical examination may be remarkable for:
- Cardiovascular Findings:[1] [2]
- Arrythmias
- Murmmurs
- Jugular venous distension
- Hypotension
- ST and T wave changes
- Pulmonary arterial hypertension
- Increased central venous pressure
- Shock and cardiovascular collapse
- Respiratory Findings:[3][4]
- Rales/ wheezing
- Tachypnea
- Hemoptysis
- Cyanosis
- Decreased End Tidal Co2
- Hypercapnia
- Pulmonary edema
- Apnea
- Central Nervous System Findings:[5][6]
- Altered mental status
- Seizures
- Focal neurological deficits
- Loss of consciousness
- Coma
- Cardiovascular Findings:[1] [2]
References
References
- ↑ Marek A. Mirski, Abhijit Vijay Lele, Lunei Fitzsimmons & Thomas J. K. Toung (2007). “Diagnosis and treatment of vascular air embolism”. Anesthesiology. 106 (1): 164–177. PMID 17197859. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ S. L. Orebaugh (1992). “Venous air embolism: clinical and experimental considerations”. Critical care medicine. 20 (8): 1169–1177. PMID 1643897. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ Marek A. Mirski, Abhijit Vijay Lele, Lunei Fitzsimmons & Thomas J. K. Toung (2007). “Diagnosis and treatment of vascular air embolism”. Anesthesiology. 106 (1): 164–177. PMID 17197859. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ S. L. Orebaugh (1992). “Venous air embolism: clinical and experimental considerations”. Critical care medicine. 20 (8): 1169–1177. PMID 1643897. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ Marek A. Mirski, Abhijit Vijay Lele, Lunei Fitzsimmons & Thomas J. K. Toung (2007). “Diagnosis and treatment of vascular air embolism”. Anesthesiology. 106 (1): 164–177. PMID 17197859. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ S. L. Orebaugh (1992). “Venous air embolism: clinical and experimental considerations”. Critical care medicine. 20 (8): 1169–1177. PMID 1643897. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help)
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
