Air entrapment in pressure monitoring lines

Less than 1 ml of air/24 h was entrapped in the transducer dome attached to each of 4 commercially available pressurized continuous-infusion flush devices. If entrained into the circulation, this amount is less than the volume of gas associated with significant morbidity in most experimental animal studies. The amount was not increased by periodic fast flushing but was further reduced with the addition of an air-eliminating filter between the flush reservoir and the dome. Other methods to further reduce bubble formation in this flush-dome-patient (FDP) system are discussed.