Arterial gas embolism and decompression sickness.
Decompression sickness occurs when a sufficiently large gas phase forms within the tissues of the body after a reduction in ambient pressure. Arterial gas embolism occurs secondary to pulmonary barotrauma when gas is forced into the pulmonary vasculature. Although they may clinically present in a similar fashion, the underlying pathophysiology of the two conditions is quite different.
Neuman
Tom S
TS
University of California-San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California 92103-8676, USA.
D003665:Decompression Sickness / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans