What is air embolism?
air embolism is a health condition characterized by a bubble in the bloodstream. Air embolisms are better called "gas embolism" because the gas concerned is not necessarily air. Depending on the size of air embolism, it can cause various problems, chest pain after death, and it is important to treat embolism if they are suspicious to prevent long -term complications or death. For example, trauma can introduce air into the bloodstream, as well as some surgery, and air in intravenous lines or syringes. Diving also exposes people the risk of air embolism called arterial gas embolism. When the bubble enters the bloodstream, it closes and prevents blood flow. Embolia can also travel, interrupt blood flow to different organs and potentially achieve the heart and cause fatal disruption of heart function. If someone has been involved in an activity that would expose themLa the risk of air embolism, the physician may recommend that the treatment starts immediately. Tests such as imaging studies and arterial blood gas tests can also be used to confirm the diagnosis,
In emergency treatment, a patient with suspicious air embolism will often be placed in the position of Trendelenberg, a sloping position with a head pointing down. It is designed to capture the air bubble at the top of the chamber, if it has reached the heart, and also slows the speed of travel, so that embolism is less likely to reach the brain or heart. Pure oxygen can also be used in treatment and the patient may require cardiopulmonary resuscitation if the embolism reaches the heart.
The best treatment for air embolism is often a stay in a hyperbaric chamber. The hyperbaric chamber is a pressure chamber that can be operated by the hospital staff. If the patient is placed in the chamber and increases the pressure, the pressure will force the gases in embolism to make withE dissolved into the blood and cleaned embolism. Then the pressure may be slowly reduced, while the patient breathes a mixture of gas with a high oxygen content, allowing the body to slowly and safely express the gases so that the embolism does not form.