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Intravascular bubbles associated with intravenous injections and altitude
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|September 1, 1976
Summary
Intravenous saline injections create microbubbles in pulmonary arteries, increasing risks during high-altitude flights. Waiting 60 minutes post-injection significantly reduces these bubbles, enhancing flight safety.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Aviation Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Intravenous injections are common medical procedures.
- Microbubbles can form in the bloodstream after i.v. infusions.
- The presence of microbubbles may be linked to decompression sickness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the abundance of microbubbles in the pulmonary artery after intravenous saline injection.
- To assess the impact of altitude exposure on microbubble presence.
- To determine methods for reducing microbubble formation before high-altitude flights.
Main Methods:
- Dogs were intravenously injected with 10 ml of saline.
- Microbubbles in the pulmonary artery were detected using ultrasound.
- Subjects were exposed to altitudes of 10,000 ft, 20,000 ft, and 40,000 ft.
- Different pre-flight delays and ascent protocols were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Ultrasonically detected microbubbles were significantly more abundant in injected dogs compared to controls at all tested altitudes.
- Continuous intravenous drip infusions also introduced numerous small bubbles.
- A 10-minute delay before ascent reduced microbubble numbers, while a 60-minute delay resulted in their near-complete absence.
Conclusions:
- Minimizing intravenous injections immediately before high-altitude flights is advisable.
- A delay of at least 60 minutes after i.v. injection can effectively eliminate microbubbles.
- Slow ascent, denitrogenation, or using degassed solutions may further reduce microbubble presence.