gas embolism is a situation in which air bubbles enter the interior of the blood vessels. This air intake obstructs circulation, which can cause some regions of the body not to be irrigated, causing a deficiency of oxygenation.
This lack of irrigation is potentially dangerous, especially when it reaches regions such as the brain and the myocardium, which are very sensitive to low rates of oxygen. Gas embolism is a situation that can occur in different surgical procedures.
Read too: Difference between vein, artery and capillary
gas embolism concept
You've probably heard that it's possible to kill a person by injecting air into their bloodstream. In view of this statement, it is common for people to feel frightened every time they go to have an injection or an IV in the vein, however, in these procedures, the risks are practically nil.
The so-called gas embolism, also known as gas embolism, and the obstruction of blood vessels due to the presence of bubbles in arteries and veins. This condition, although rare, generates deaths in approximately 30% of cases and is usually associated with medical procedures such as craniotomy, angiography, mechanical ventilation, cesarean, and circulating procedures extracorporeal.
In addition, gas embolism can occur in accidents of dive, in which the expansion of air trapped in the diver's lungs at the time of ascent can occur. This expansion is due to the decrease in pressure as the rise to the surface occurs. With this, the air passes into the bloodstream and causes bubbles, which end up preventing the normal flow of the blood.
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Consequences of gas embolism
Air embolism is a serious event that can even lead to death. The severity, however, will depend on the volume and rate of gas infusion and the structures that are affected. Gas embolism can cause obstruction of blood flow to different parts of the body, being potentially fatal when it occurs in heart and in the brain, which are regions very sensitive to conditions of low oxygen concentration.
When air embolism obstructs the pulmonary trunk, it triggers an acute overload of the right ventricle, which causes acute heart failure, being a serious problem for those who have cardiovascular problems previous. When it reaches the lung, can cause pulmonary inflammation, which leads to pulmonary edema and impaired organ function.
In some cases, gas embolism affects only one organ, but in other situations it can occur in a widespread way, that is, the gas goes to various parts of the body.
Read more: What is edema?
Symptoms and Treatment of Air Embolism
The manifestations more common in cases of air embolism they are: sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, nausea, confusion and loss of consciousness. When symptoms appear, treatment should be started immediately, requiring respiratory and circulatory support.
In the case of venous air embolism, the patient is usually placed in a position known as the Trendelenburg position or in the left lateral decubitus position. In addition, 100% oxygen is administered or hyperbaric oxygen therapy is adopted, in which the patient is placed in an environment with pure oxygen and with pressure above atmospheric.
This technique reduces the size of the embolus and prevents cerebral edema. In the case of arterial gas embolism, some of the techniques adopted are hyperbaric oxygen therapy; infusion therapy, which works by reducing blood viscosity; and hemoconcentration, in addition to the use of anticoagulants and barbiturates. The latter reduce cerebral oxygen consumption and intracranial pressure.
Therefore, despite being an event considered rare, the risk of death can be high if not treated properly. Therefore, it is of fundamental importance that all health professionals know how to diagnose, treat and, above all, prevent gas embolism.
Difference between gas embolism and pulmonary embolism
THE pulmonary embolism is a situation that occurs as consequence of thrombus formation, which travels to the pulmonary artery or one of its branches, causing its obstruction. Thrombi usually arise in the deep venous system of the lower limbs.
Usually, patients with pulmonary embolism have risk factors for the development of venous thrombosis, such as surgery, immobilization or paralysis, cancer, gestation and postpartum, smoking, hypertension, between others. Pulmonary embolism differs from gaseous embolism, as the latter does not involve thrombi, and blood flow obstruction is caused by the presence of gas in blood vessels.
By Vanessa Sardinha dos Santos
Biology teacher
