Venous air embolism: A review

Palmon, Sally C.; Moore, Laurel E.; Lundberg, Jeany; Toung, Thomas

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Volume 9, Issue 3 , Pages 251-257, May 1997

Venous air embolism: A review

Sally C. Palmon, MD
- Address reprint requests to Dr. Palmon at the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 No. Wolfe St., Meyer 8-134, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
- St. Agnes Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions.
Laurel E. Moore, MD
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
- St. Agnes Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions.
Jeany Lundberg, MD
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
- St. Agnes Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Staff Anesthesiologist, St. Agnes Hospital, Baltimore.
Thomas Toung, MD
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
- St. Agnes Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Staff Anesthesiologist, St. Agnes Hospital, Baltimore.

Received 13 May 1996; accepted 6 November 1996.

Abstract

Venous air embolism (VAE) can be a lethal complication of surgical procedures, during which (1) venous pressure at the site of surgery is subatmospheric or (2) gas is forced under-pressure into a body cavity. Though classically associated with neurosurgery, VAE is also a potential complication of laparoscopic, pelvic, and orthopedic procedures. It is, therefore, essential for the practicing anesthesiologist to recognize and treat venous air entrainment. An in-depth review of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, detection, prevention, and treatment of VAE is presented.

Keywords: Laparoscopy, MAST trouser, patient position sitting, venous air embolism

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