Venous Air Embolism during Surgery, Especially Cesarean Delivery

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Authors: Chang Seok Kim ; Jia Liu ; Ja-Young Kwon ; Seo Kyung Shin ; Ki Jun Kim

MeSH: Anesthesia, Obstetrical/adverse effects ; Cesarean Section/adverse effects* ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal/methods ; Embolism, Air/diagnosis* ; Embolism, Air/diagnostic imaging* ; Embolism, Air/prevention & control ; Female ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications/diagnostic imaging ; Monitoring, Intraoperative/methods ; Obstetrics/methods ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors ; Ultrasonography, Doppler/methods

Abstract: Venous air embolism (VAE) is the entrapment of air or medical gases into the venous system causing symptoms and signs of pulmonary vessel obstruction. The incidence of VAE during cesarean delivery ranges from 10 to 97% depending on surgical position or diagnostic tools, with a potential for life-threatening events. We reviewed extensive literatures regarding VAE in detail and herein described VAE during surgery including cesarean delivery from background and history to treatment and prevention. It is intended that present work will improve the understanding of VAE during surgery.