Venous Air Embolism

🔑 Key Priorities

  • Prevent further air entry

  • Maintain circulation and oxygenation

🧠 Team Actions

Role

Task

Team Leader

Identify risk source and position change

Airway Manager

Administer 100% O₂, disconnect N₂O

Circulation

Aspirate via CVC, support BP

🧭 Management Algorithm

  1. Call for help, inform surgeon

  2. Stop N₂O, give 100% O₂

  3. Flood surgical field with saline or wet swabs

  4. Position: Durant’s (head down + left lateral)

  5. Aspirate via CVC if in situ (RA catheter)

  6. Support circulation: IV fluids, vasopressors

  7. Consider CPR if collapse

  8. Confirm with TEE or Doppler if available

🔄 Ideal Crisis Flow

             Suspected Air Embolism
                    ↓
         Stop N₂O, Give 100% O₂, Call Help
                    ↓
     Surgical Flooding + Durant’s Position
                    ↓
       Aspirate via CVC + Support BP/CPR
                    ↓
        Confirm with TEE/Doppler if Available

Last updated