title: Venous air embolism: a review.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Palmon
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lundberg
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Toung
mesh_terms: D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*