5-Minute Clinical Consult: Arterial Gas Embolism

Arterial Gas Embolism

Risk Factors

Surgery: Recent craniotomy with patient in upright position, cardiothoracic surgery (with cardiopulmonary bypass), hip replacement, cesarean section
Scuba: Arterial gas embolism is the most serious and rapidly fatal of all scuba diving injuries and is 2nd only to drowning as the leading cause of death associated with sport diving. Arterial gas embolism occurs on ascent from alveolar rupture; time to the manifestation of symptoms is nearly always < 10 minutes.
History of patent foramen ovale has been associated with a >4-fold increase in decompression illness events and 2-fold more ischemic brain lesions than in divers without this condition.

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