Air embolism in obstetrics
From WikiLectures
Air embolism in obstetrics can be encountered both in vaginal births and in caesarean sections . In caesarean sections, which are performed under general anesthesia, we find an incidence of up to 97%. Most of these emboli have a subclinical course.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
Massive air embolism in obstetrics ⇒ hypotension and hypoxemia ⇒ cardiac arrest.
The most common symptoms :
- pain in the chest
- decrease in blood oxygen saturation (SpO 2 )
- dyspnoea.
Pathophysiology[edit | edit source]
Factors increasing the occurrence of air embolism:
- the pressure gradient between the heart and the operative field is equal to -5cmH 2 O
- low central venous pressure.
| Amount of air penetration into the vascular bed | Result |
|---|---|
| Higher volume | Fatal right ventricular outflow tract obstruction |
| Lower volume | hypoxemia, disturbances in the ratio of ventilation to perfusion, hypotension, arrhythmia, right-sided heart failure |
Links[edit | edit source]
Related articles[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- PAŘÍZEK, Antonín, a kolektiv. Kritické stavy v porodnictví. 1. vydání edition. Praha : Mother- Care - Centrum Publishing, 2012. 285 pp. ISBN 978-80-7262-949-7.
