Qualitative and quantitative methods for investigating gas emboli in blood.
Methods for investigating gas emboli in blood include timed collection of a sample of blood, with subsequent gravitational separation of bubbles or, for more rapid assessment, measurement of bulk compressibility; examination of small samples (usually taken as slipstreams) by optical or electrical impedance devices; and ultrasonography. No method is overwhelmingly superior to the others, as all have deficiencies. The representativeness of the samples examined is a problem that has frequently been overlooked. Developments in the ultrasonic method, including newer transducer materials and signal processing, promise interesting developments in the next few years.
D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000379:methods; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D014463:Ultrasonography