Summary about Disease
An air embolism occurs when air bubbles enter the bloodstream and block blood vessels. These bubbles can travel to the brain, heart, or lungs and cause serious complications. It's a relatively rare but potentially life-threatening condition. The severity depends on the amount of air, the rate of entry, and the location of the blockage.
Symptoms
Symptoms can vary greatly depending on the location and size of the air embolism. Common symptoms include:
Sudden chest pain
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Coughing (possibly with blood)
Lightheadedness or dizziness
Confusion or altered mental state
Seizures
Stroke-like symptoms (weakness, paralysis, speech difficulties)
Rapid heartbeat
Low blood pressure
Blue skin discoloration (cyanosis)
Causes
Air embolisms can be caused by:
Medical Procedures: Surgery (especially brain, neck, or chest), intravenous (IV) line insertion or removal, central line placement, dialysis, endoscopy, and certain radiological procedures.
Lung Injury: Trauma to the chest or lungs (e.g., from a car accident) can allow air to enter the bloodstream.
Scuba Diving: Rapid ascent from deep water can cause air bubbles to form in the blood (decompression sickness, also called "the bends").
Blast Injuries: Explosions can force air into the bloodstream.
Rare Causes: Veno-occlusive disease with portacath placement has been reported as a rare cause.
Medicine Used
Treatment focuses on supporting vital functions and reducing the size of the air bubble. Medications may include:
Oxygen: High-flow oxygen is administered to help dissolve the air bubble.
Vasopressors: Medications to increase blood pressure if it's too low.
Pain medication: To manage pain.
Anticoagulants: Sometimes used to prevent blood clots from forming around the air bubble, but not always indicated.
Is Communicable
No, air embolism is not communicable. It is not caused by an infectious agent and cannot be transmitted from person to person.
Precautions
Precautions to prevent air embolism typically involve careful medical techniques:
Proper IV Line Insertion and Removal: Ensuring that IV lines are properly inserted and removed, and that air is not introduced into the system.
Careful Surgical Technique: Surgeons must take meticulous care to avoid introducing air into blood vessels during procedures, especially in the brain, neck, and chest.
Monitoring During Medical Procedures: Closely monitoring patients during procedures where air embolism is a risk.
Scuba Diving Safety: Divers should follow proper ascent rates and decompression protocols.
How long does an outbreak last?
Air embolism does not occur in outbreaks. It's an acute event. There is no "outbreak" duration.
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosis can be challenging, especially if symptoms are vague. Diagnostic methods include:
Physical Exam: Assessing symptoms and vital signs.
Imaging Studies:
Echocardiogram: Can sometimes visualize air bubbles in the heart.
CT Scan: Of the brain, chest, or abdomen may reveal air bubbles in blood vessels or organs.
MRI: Can be used to assess for brain damage from air emboli.
Doppler Ultrasound: Can detect air bubbles in blood vessels.
Arterial Blood Gas: To assess oxygen levels and carbon dioxide levels.
Timeline of Symptoms
Symptoms usually appear suddenly and rapidly after the air enters the bloodstream. The timeline can range from seconds to minutes. In some cases, delayed onset (hours) is possible but less common.
Important Considerations
Air embolism is a medical emergency. Prompt recognition and treatment are crucial.
The amount of air, rate of entry, and location determine the severity.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be beneficial in some cases, especially in severe cases or diving-related embolisms, as it helps to reduce the size of the air bubbles.
Prevention is key. Strict adherence to medical protocols is essential to minimize the risk of air embolism during medical procedures.