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Air Embolism

 Venous air embolism is the formation of air bubbles in the veins, causing a blood clot. It is  most common amongst divers or personnels which operate in regions of high pressures. Functionally, it is similar to pulmonary embolism, a venous blood clot, but the clot is an air bubble instead. The severity largely depends on the area clot. For example, the coronary arteries can fall victim to air embolism, which may cause a heart attack or an abnormal heart rhythm. 



Signs and symptoms of an air embolism include: joint or muscle pain, blurred vision, breathlessness or fast breathing and an irregular heartbeat. 


If a patient develops air embolism, the only effective treatment is immediate recompression treatment in a special pressurised room called the hyperbaric chamber. It involves breathing a mixture of gases and oxygen under pressure.After recompression, pressure is gradually reduced to allow the air to leave the body without worsening the situation.


Prevention measures include reducing the depth and duration of your dives, refrain from partaking in dives with a cold, cough or chest infection.




https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/air-embolism/

https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/761367-overview

https://www.healthline.com/health/air-embolism

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