How to deal with air embolism during infusion?

Air embolism is very easy to occur during infusion. Air embolism is actually a phenomenon in which air enters the human body's blood vessels, causing blood circulation disorders. If the amount of air entering is relatively small, it generally does not cause much harm. If a large amount of air enters the body, it will cause severe hypoxia and may cause death. So what is the treatment method for air embolism during infusion?

How to treat air embolism?

(1) Eliminate the factors that affect air intake;

(2) Give oxygen immediately;

(3) Have the patient lie on his left side with his head down and his feet up, so that air can enter the right ventricle. When blood circulates to the right ventricle, the bubbles will dissolve into the blood along with the oxygen.

(4) When there is too much air, it affects the heart's ability to pump blood and right ventricular puncture is required;

(5) Send to hyperbaric oxygen chamber for treatment if necessary;

(6) Symptomatic treatment.

① Expel all air before infusion. During the infusion, the nurse on duty should patrol and observe closely in time, even when changing the liquid, to prevent air from entering the vein and forming embolism.

② When air is found to have entered the body, clamp the intravenous line immediately to prevent further entry of air.

③ Place the patient in left-side decubitus position with head down and feet up, so that air can enter the right ventricle and avoid the entrance of the pulmonary artery. Due to the beating of the heart, the air is mixed into foam and enters the pulmonary artery in small amounts at several times. At the same time, notify the doctor and cooperate with the doctor to make emergency treatment.

④ Immediately give the patient pure oxygen, and if conditions permit, perform hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

⑤ If there is cerebral convulsion, diazepam can be used. Hormones can also be used to reduce cerebral edema, and heparin and small molecule dextran can be used to improve circulation.

⑥ After the patient's condition stabilizes, record the cause of air entry, air volume and treatment process in detail and truthfully.

⑦ Continue to observe and record until it is proven that the patient is completely out of danger.

Clinical manifestations and causes of air embolism during intravenous infusion:

(1) Clinical manifestations: During the infusion, the patient may feel chest discomfort or pain behind the sternum, followed by dyspnea, severe cyanosis, and a sense of impending death. A loud, continuous "bubble" sound may be heard by auscultation of the precordial area. The electrocardiogram may show changes of myocardial ischemia and acute cor pulmonale. Medical Education Network collected and sorted

(2) Causes: The air in the tube is not completely exhausted before infusion, the infusion catheter is not tightly connected or has cracks; during continuous infusion, the drug solution is not added in time or the air is not exhausted in time after addition; during pressurized infusion or blood transfusion, there is no dedicated person to supervise, all of which can cause air to enter the vein and cause air embolism.

(3) When air enters the vein, it can flow with the blood into the right atrium and then into the right ventricle. If the amount of air is small, it will be pressed into the pulmonary artery by the right ventricle as the heart contracts, and dispersed into the pulmonary arterioles, and finally absorbed through the capillaries, so the damage is less; if the amount of air is large, the air will block the entrance of the pulmonary artery in the right ventricle, preventing blood from entering the lungs for gas exchange, causing severe hypoxia in the body and even leading to the patient's death.