Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Diagnosis of Intravascular Air After Lower Extremity Intraosseous Access.
BACKGROUND
Vascular air embolism is a rare but potentially deadly phenomenon. Early diagnosis allows providers to initiate measures aimed at preventing further air entry, preventing the migration of air to the lungs, and mitigating the hemodynamic effects of pulmonary air embolism.


METHODS
An emergency physician used point-of-care ultrasound to identify intravascular air before embolization to the pulmonary vasculature. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Bedside ultrasound can be used as a tool for early diagnosis of intravascular air. Emergency physicians should be aware of the typical sonographic manifestations of intravascular air and the initial steps in treating vascular air embolism.
Department of Emergency Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
Benjamin
B
Azan
Department of Emergency Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
Felipe
F
Teran
Department of Emergency Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
Bret P
BP
Nelson
Department of Emergency Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
Phillip
P
Andrus
D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D017148:Infusions, Intraosseous / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D018805:Sepsis / Q000150:complications; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation
intraosseous line; intravascular air; ultrasound; vascular air embolism