Air Embolisms by Central Line Removal

HappyNurse2005, RN · May 7, 2006

I make em lay flat, and do Valsalva. That's how I was taught-haven't had any air embolus' yet.

If there is a better way, though, i'm always up for hearing it.

HappyNurse2005, RN · May 7, 2006

http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/pdf/10.1046/j.1525-1489.2002.17205.x?cookieSet=1

MmacFN · May 7, 2006

well, i know what i do both on insertion and when im removing central lines. i am not a crna, but this is apart of my practice set.

i try and visualize the physiology to come up with multiple ways to do things and why they would, or wouldnt work. so a quick review of the "whys" cant hurt (and it keeps it in my head):

during spontaneous breathing, negative intrathoracic pressures generate the pressure gradient for inspiration. upon entry into the venous system, this negative intrathoracic pressure can also encourage air to enter the insertion site and cause air embolism. a pressure difference of 5 cm of h2o across a 14-gauge needle allows 100 ml of air per second to enter the venous system.1. (in dogs, rapid administration of 0.5-1 ml/kg air is often fatal. 50 ml of air can cause hypotension and dysrhythmias and more than 300 ml of air can be lethal.1)

breath holding (valsalva) creates positive pressure in the intrathoracic space. this will minimize the risk for air entry into the catheter. a mechanically delivered positive pressure breath will create the same protection (using the bvm to hold the pts breath).

left side down-trendelenberg position might trap the embolus in the right ventricle and prevent migration to the lung. this is hardly proven, but it cannot hurt the patient if the position is feasible.

i actually cannot think of another way to help avoid the possiblity of an air embolism. the proven one is valsalva.

now on insertion, there are two things to consider. first, let me say that i am not trained in or central line insertion, but i do a few things to create success and avoid complications.

there are 2 schools of thought in regards to insertion. some people have the patient exhale in order to deflate the lung and decrease the risk of an iatrogenic pneumo. i actually, do not do this. in my practice i actually place my patients in trendelenburg in order to increase venous return thereby dilating the vein and i have the patient valsalva. the reason i do this is to create positive pressure in order to avoid air embolism but also to increase the diameter of the vein thereby making it easier to puncture the subclavian or the ij. always keep a closed system by plugging the end of the cath with your thumb as well until you hook it to a bag. i have attached links to ultrasounds of my own ij in trendelenburg and valsalva

ij in situ normal laying flat

ij in trendelenburg only diameter .45 cm x .99 cm

ij in trendelenburg and valsalva diameter 1.1cm x 1.67 cm

1.capan lm, miller sm: perioperative embolic complications. in anesthesia & perioperative complications. 2nd edition. benumof jl, saidman lj, editors. mosby, st louis. 1999, pp 685-738

jwk · May 7, 2006

Mike, you're having way too much fun with the visuals. Ultrasound brings in a whole new set of skills.

I've always used t-berg, but never tried having the patient valsalva during placement. If you're searching for the vessel, it would be kind of hard to "hold that pose". I always use a finder needle first - never had an air embolism or pneumo from an IJ placement.

TheLemur · May 7, 2006

MmacFN, you're not getting anywhere NEAR my dog.

MmacFN · May 7, 2006

Hey jwk :)

I can totally see why you use the finder needle technique. Just the differences between a crash procedure (that i do) and a real one (that you do)

What do you think of the idea? Neat isnt it?

These are apart of my ppt for teaching central lines, EZ IO's for flight crews. I think the visual helps to see how it works dont you think?

Mike, you're having way too much fun with the visuals. Ultrasound brings in a whole new set of skills.
I've always used t-berg, but never tried having the patient valsalva during placement. If you're searching for the vessel, it would be kind of hard to "hold that pose". I always use a finder needle first - never had an air embolism or pneumo from an IJ placement.

MmacFN · May 7, 2006

opps double post

jwk · May 7, 2006

Yep, the visuals are cool. When we first got our Sonocyte, we played with them on each other, doing valsalvas and inhaling against a closed airway - totally cool seeing how the vessels open up and collapse down to nothing.

I'm not sure how you define the difference between "real" and "crash". I've always used a finder needle, even on traumas and ruptured AAA's.

ARLadyRN · May 7, 2006

If the patient doesn't want to lay down flat, then I don't take it out. I will explain to the patient why I would do it and usually 10 out of 10 times they will do it if they know why.

MmacFN · May 7, 2006

Oh when i said crash vs real im mostly talking about resources and equipment. All I have is me and a kit

Yep, the visual are cool. When we first got our Sonocyte, we played with them on each other, doing valsalvas and inhaling against a closed airway - totally cool seeing how the vessels open up and collapse down to nothing.
I'm not sure how you define the difference between "real" and "crash". I've always used a finder needle, even on traumas and ruptured AAA's.

mach1of8 · May 7, 2006

Now that the Standard for Removal of a Central Line is confirmed, what is the usual treatment for air embolus a patient receives after line removal. I have heard they need Heparin immediately, and I have heard to lay them left lateral. Any other suggestions??

Also, have you heard that air embolus actually cause blood clots to form in the capillaries and arteries of the lungs?

Thanks