Core EM - Emergency Medicine Podcast

Episode 132.0 – Air Embolism

Listen Later

This week we dive into the rare but potentially fatal, and difficult to diagnose, air embolism.

https://media.blubrry.com/coreem/content.blubrry.com/coreem/Episode_132_0_Final_Cut.m4a
Download
2 Comments
Tags: Air Embolism, Central Lines, Hyperbaric Oxygen
Show Notes

Take Home Points

  1. Air embolism is a rare but potentially fatal complication of central line placement and some surgical procedures and of course of as the result of barotrauma.
  2. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of air embolism can be tricky because it will look like any other ischemic process.  Consider air embolism if you have a patient that rapidly decompensates after placement of a central line, the most likely culprit for those of us in the ED.
  3. Treatment should focus on supportive cares.  Give supplemental O2, IV fluids and hemodynamic support and consider hyperbarics and cardiopulmonary bypass for the super sick patient.

    4. Show Notes

    Core EM: Air Embolism

    Blanc et al. Iatrogenic cerebral air embolism: importance of an early hyperbaric oxygenation. Intensive Care Med. 2002; 28(5): 559-63. PMID 12029402


    Read More
    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store
    Core EM - Emergency Medicine PodcastBy Core EM
    • 4.5
    • 4.5
    • 4.5
    • 4.5
    • 4.5

    4.5

    245 ratings

    More shows like Core EM - Emergency Medicine Podcast

    View all
    EMCrit FOAM Feed by Scott D. Weingart, MD FCCM

    EMCrit FOAM Feed

    1,866 Listeners

    JAMA Clinical Reviews by JAMA Network

    JAMA Clinical Reviews

    499 Listeners

    The Resus Room by Simon Laing, Rob Fenwick & James Yates

    The Resus Room

    96 Listeners

    EM Clerkship by Zack Olson, MD ; Mike Estephan, MD ; Maddie Watts, MD

    EM Clerkship

    808 Listeners

    The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast by The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast

    The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast

    3,357 Listeners

    Emergency Medical Minute by Emergency Medical Minute

    Emergency Medical Minute

    273 Listeners

    Core IM | Internal Medicine Podcast by Core IM Team

    Core IM | Internal Medicine Podcast

    1,146 Listeners

    The Internet Book of Critical Care Podcast by Adam Thomas & Josh Farkas

    The Internet Book of Critical Care Podcast

    702 Listeners

    The Clinical Problem Solvers by The Clinical Problem Solvers

    The Clinical Problem Solvers

    515 Listeners

    Harrison's PodClass: Internal Medicine Cases and Board Prep by AccessMedicine

    Harrison's PodClass: Internal Medicine Cases and Board Prep

    368 Listeners

    Run the List by Walker Redd, Emily Gutowski, Navin Kumar, Joyce Zhou, Blake Smith

    Run the List

    253 Listeners

    Critical Care Scenarios by Brandon Oto, PA-C, FCCM and Bryan Boling, DNP, ACNP, FCCM

    Critical Care Scenarios

    260 Listeners

    The Curious Clinicians by The Curious Clinicians

    The Curious Clinicians

    371 Listeners

    Ninja Nerd by Ninja Nerd

    Ninja Nerd

    319 Listeners

    Critical Care Time by Critical Care Time Podcast

    Critical Care Time

    273 Listeners