Venous air embolism: a review.
Venous air embolism (VAE) can be a lethal complication of surgical procedures, during which (1) venous pressure at the site of surgery is subatmospheric or (2) gas is forced under pressure into a body cavity. Though classically associated with neurosurgery, VAE is also a potential complication of laparoscopic, pelvic, and orthopedic procedures. It is, therefore, essential for the practicing anesthesiologist to recognize and treat venous air entrainment. An in-depth review of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, detection, prevention, and treatment of VAE is presented.
Palmon
S C
SC
Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Moore
L E
LE
Lundberg
J
J
Toung
T
T
D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*