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Venous Air Embolism

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Book cover Surgical Intensive Care Medicine

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Abstract

Gas embolism refers to the abnormal presence of gas within the circulatory system. It is a complication that is known to occur with various surgical, therapeutic, and diagnostic procedures, and as the result of trauma. Gas embolism may be asymptomatic or may result in immediate cardiovascular collapse. The type and severity of sequelae depend on the composition and amount of gas involved, the rate and location of entry, and patient characteristics such as size, cardiopulmonary reserve, and presence of an intracardiac right-left communication. An understanding of the etiologies and pathophysiology of gas embolism is important in order to recognize, treat, and, most importantly, prevent this potentially catastrophic complication.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lahey Clinic Medical Center, Burlington, MA, 01805, USA

    Carl J. Borromeo M.D.

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  1. Carl J. Borromeo M.D.
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Department of Surgical Critical Care, Lahey Clinic Medical Center, Burlington, MA, USA

    John Merritt O’Donnell M.D. (Director, Chairman) (Director, Chairman)

  2. Department of Surgical Critical Care, Lahey Clinic Medical Center, Burlington, MA, USA

    Flávio Eduardo Nácul M.D. (Senior Fellow) (Senior Fellow)

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© 2001 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Borromeo, C.J. (2001). Venous Air Embolism. In: O’Donnell, J.M., Nácul, F.E. (eds) Surgical Intensive Care Medicine. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-6645-5_24

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-6645-5_24

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-6647-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-6645-5

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