Air embolism in the operating room

If left undetected and untreated in the operating room, air embolism can be a potentially lethal event. It is important to be aware of the specific positions and surgical procedures that put a patient at risk for air emboli. This article will define air embolism, discuss its occurrence and effects on the body, review specific monitoring techniques used to detect intravascular air, and present techniques used for prevention and treatment by the operating room staff.