
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 primary prevention
Introduction
Overview
Overview
- There are many different techniques that physician can use to prevent air embolism during a invasive procedure.
- Deep sea divers can prevent air embolism with adequate monitoring of their dive.
Primary Prevention
Primary Prevention
During Venous catheter placement:[1]
- Place patient in Trendelenburg position
- this increases the CVP
- Adequate hydration [2]
- Avoid placement during inspiration
- Flush catheter lumens
During Venous catheter removal:[3] [4]
- Place patient in Trendelenburg position
- Remove Catheter during valsalva or expiration
- Cover site and apply pressure for 5-10 minutes
- Patient should remain supine for 30 minutes post procedure
During other Invasive procedures:[5]
- Use of a flush in a closed system
- Prime tubing with saline
- No air should be present in syringes
- Intra operative use of precordial doppler
- Avoid use of Nitrous oxide during abdominal procedures
- “park bench position” should be used for surgeries performed in the sitting position[6]
- Use of Reverse Trendelenburg position during Cesarian section[7]
During deep sea diving monitoring gas levels and rate of ascent can help prevent DCS.
References
References
- ↑ Colin J. McCarthy, Sasan Behravesh, Sailendra G. Naidu & Rahmi Oklu (2016). “Air Embolism: Practical Tips for Prevention and Treatment”. Journal of clinical medicine. 5 (11). doi:10.3390/jcm5110093. PMID 27809224. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ C. M. Domaingue (2005). “Neurosurgery in the sitting position: a case series”. Anaesthesia and intensive care. 33 (3): 332–335. PMID 15973915. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ Colin J. McCarthy, Sasan Behravesh, Sailendra G. Naidu & Rahmi Oklu (2016). “Air Embolism: Practical Tips for Prevention and Treatment”. Journal of clinical medicine. 5 (11). doi:10.3390/jcm5110093. PMID 27809224. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ P. Ingram, Linda Sinclair & Toby Edwards (2006). “The safe removal of central venous catheters”. Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987). 20 (49): 42–46. doi:10.7748/ns2006.08.20.49.42.c4483. PMID 16939143. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ Colin J. McCarthy, Sasan Behravesh, Sailendra G. Naidu & Rahmi Oklu (2016). “Air Embolism: Practical Tips for Prevention and Treatment”. Journal of clinical medicine. 5 (11). doi:10.3390/jcm5110093. PMID 27809224. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ T. Mammoto, Y. Hayashi, Y. Ohnishi & M. Kuro (1998). “Incidence of venous and paradoxical air embolism in neurosurgical patients in the sitting position: detection by transesophageal echocardiography”. Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica. 42 (6): 643–647. PMID 9689268. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ J. Fong, F. Gadalla & M. Druzin (1991). “Venous emboli occurring caesarean section: the effect of patient position”. Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d’anesthesie. 38 (2): 191–195. PMID 2021988. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help)
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
