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Article: Preventing air embolism when removing CVCs: an evidence-based approach to changing practice. (CE Series).
- Article from:
- MedSurg Nursing
- Article date:
- August 1, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Jannetti Publications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Air embolism is one of the most serious complications that can occur in patients with central venous catheters (CVCs). This uncommon yet potentially catastrophic event occurs as a consequence of the entry of air into the vasculature (Ely et al., 1999). A venous or pulmonary air embolism occurs when the intrathoracic pressure becomes lower than the atmospheric pressure, permitting air to enter through an opening into the systemic venous circulation. For example, if the patient coughs, sneezes, cries, laughs, or takes a deep breath, the change in intrathoracic pressure can draw as much as 10 to 15 cc of air into the venous system via an open tract, resulting in an air ...