Air Embolism From Iv Tubing

[WILLY WASHOUT]

If the air from the entire length of a primary IV tubing set enters a patient's circulatory system, is this enough air to cause an embolism and would the effects be immediate?

For example, if an IV bag ran dry and a new bag was hung but the tubing was full of air.

[NurseFirst]

One more tidbit I found: the air would have to enter the vasculature above the level of the heart to cause a problem. Thus the risk is great with a subclavian CVC, and much smaller with a peripheral IV.

That makes a certain amount of sense. I've heard the problem is when a bolus of air ends up in the atrium--don't know why, though. I think the inferior vena cava has a larger lumen than that of the superior, allowing more of the air to go into solution before arriving at the atrium. But what do I know?

Willy Washout --

What happened to the patient?

Thanks

NurseFirst