Air embolism (patient information)

Air embolism
Overview
What are the symptoms?
What are the causes?
Who is at highest risk?
Diagnosis
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Where to find medical care for Air embolism?
Prevention
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Possible complications
Air embolismOn the Web
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
Images of Air embolism
Videos on Air embolism
FDA on Air embolism
CDC on Air embolism
Air embolismin the news
Blogs on Air embolism
Directions to Hospitals Treating Air embolism
Risk calculators and risk factors for Air embolism

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Overview

Air embolism is a rare but fatal complication of certain surgical procedures and can occur during deep sea diving.

What are the symptoms of Air embolism?

• Symptoms of air embolism include:
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Cough
  • Disorientation
  • Seizures
  • Dizziness/Vertigo
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Anxiety
  • Weakness

What causes Air embolism?

• Entrapment of an air bubble in a blood vessel can impede blood flow to and from an organ and cause dysfunction.
  • For example and air bubble impeding blood flow to the brain can cause seizures, headache and a variety of other symptoms