Arterial gas embolism

Abstract

Arterial gas embolism is defined as the entrance of gas to the pulmonary vein or directly to the systemic artery. The causes of arterial gas embolism are mainly from dive-related accidents and less frequently from iatrogenic complications. The main pathogenesis of arterial gas embolism is the obstructive effect of gas bubble in the end artery leading to tissue hypoxia and ischemia. The associated pathogenesis is the secondary effect of gas blood interface leading to various inflammatory and biochemical cascades. The diagnosis of arterial gas embolism depends mainly on the medical history. There should be a risky event preceeding to the compatible symptoms or signs of arterial gas embolism. A significantly positive response to the recompression therapy could also help the establishment of diagnosis. The main treatment of arterial gas embolism is the recompression therapy in a hyperbaric chamber. The gas bubble is compressed to a very small size allowing it to exhale through the lung. Oxygen is added to help the gas expelling rate and the healing of hypoxic and injured tissue. Other treatments such as fluid supplement and the anti-convulsive agent should be considered.