Why is air embolism head low?

summary

The simple understanding of air embolism is that the air blocks the blood vessels. It is usually caused by the excessive expansion of the lung due to the influence of the inflated lung gas when the pressure around the human body suddenly decreases (such as rising from deep water to shallow water). Its common characteristics are pain and (or) neurological symptoms. When air enters the blood circulation to the lungs, blocking the main access of the pulmonary artery, it can cause severe shock. Life is endangered. This disease is relatively rare, in the field of Obstetrics and gynecology in childbirth or postpartum (including abortion) occurs. Infusion due to operational errors will also cause air embolism, now let's understand.

Why is air embolism head low?

First, when air embolism occurs, let the patient lie on the left side because this position uses the principle of air floating, which is conducive to the gas floating to the right ventricular apex, so as to avoid blocking the pulmonary artery orifice, so as to prevent the occurrence of embolism. With the beating of the heart, the air is mixed into foam, and enters the pulmonary artery in small quantities. Reduce the degree of risk, conducive to later treatment.

Second, the air buoyancy principle is also used to reduce the damage effect of air embolism on important organs of abdomen and brain when the air embolism is in the position of head high on the sole of the foot. It is most commonly used in the case of drowning or deep diver's loss of consciousness in the process of rising out of the water or shortly after rising. It is necessary to consider the gas embolism and the preferred measures before emergency transfer to the pressurized cabin for treatment. In order to save enough time, it is best to transport by air, but the exposure to low pressure at high altitude must be minimized.

Third: when air enters the blood vessels, it can cause gas embolism, but it depends on the amount of gas entering the body to assess the risk. If the air volume is small, it can disperse to the alveolar capillaries and combine with hemoglobin. Or diffuse to alveoli, with the breath out of the body, so does not cause damage. However, when the volume of air entering the body is large and relatively fast, it will stir the air and the blood in the heart cavity to form a large amount of foam under the beating of the heart. When the heart is contracted, it will not be discharged or obstructed the pulmonary artery, which can lead to sudden death. Generally, when the air rapidly entering the human blood circulation is about 100 ml, it can lead to heart failure and life-threatening.

matters needing attention

After the air embolism, it is the most important to send it to the pressure chamber for pressure treatment in the fastest speed and the shortest time, which is the highest priority in all treatments. Pressure therapy can squeeze air out of the blood. During the treatment, the heart, brain, liver, lung, kidney and other important organs should not be affected by air embolism.