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Hyperbaric oxygen treatment for air or gas embolism.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Moon, RE
Published in: Undersea Hyperb Med
2014

Gas can enter arteries (arterial gas embolism) due to alveolar-capillary disruption (caused by pulmonary overpressurization, e.g., breath-hold ascent by divers) or veins (venous gas embolism, VGE) as a result of tissue bubble formation due to decompression (diving, altitude exposure) or during certain surgical procedures where capillary hydrostatic pressure at the incision site is sub-atmospheric. Both AGE and VGE can be caused by iatrogenic gas injection. AGE usually produces strokelike manifestations, such as impaired consciousness, confusion, seizures and focal neurological deficits. Small amounts of VGE are often tolerated due to filtration by pulmonary capillaries. However, VGE can cause pulmonary edema, cardiac "vapor lock" and AGE due to transpulmonary passage or right-to-left shunt through a patent foramen ovale. Intravascular gas can cause arterial obstruction or endothelial damage and secondary vasospasm and capillary leak. Vascular gas is frequently not visible with radiographic imaging, which should not be used to exclude the diagnosis of AGE. Isolated VGE usually requires no treatment; AGE treatment is similar to decompression sickness (DCS), with first aid oxygen then hyperbaric oxygen. Although cerebral AGE (CAGE) often causes intracranial hypertension, animal studies have failed to demonstrate a benefit of induced hypocapnia. An evidence-based review of adjunctive therapies is presented.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Undersea Hyperb Med

ISSN

1066-2936

Publication Date

2014

Volume

41

Issue

2

Start / End Page

159 / 166

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Veins
  • Physiology
  • Patient Selection
  • Hyperbaric Oxygenation
  • Humans
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Embolism, Air
  • Arteries
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Moon, R. E. (2014). Hyperbaric oxygen treatment for air or gas embolism. Undersea Hyperb Med, 41(2), 159–166.
Moon, R. E. “Hyperbaric oxygen treatment for air or gas embolism.Undersea Hyperb Med 41, no. 2 (2014): 159–66.
Moon RE. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment for air or gas embolism. Undersea Hyperb Med. 2014;41(2):159–66.
Moon, R. E. “Hyperbaric oxygen treatment for air or gas embolism.Undersea Hyperb Med, vol. 41, no. 2, 2014, pp. 159–66.
Moon RE. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment for air or gas embolism. Undersea Hyperb Med. 2014;41(2):159–166.

Published In

Undersea Hyperb Med

ISSN

1066-2936

Publication Date

2014

Volume

41

Issue

2

Start / End Page

159 / 166

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Veins
  • Physiology
  • Patient Selection
  • Hyperbaric Oxygenation
  • Humans
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Embolism, Air
  • Arteries
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences