CVP Line Question

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Hi! Need some assistance here...How do you position a patient 24hrs post-op whose CVP line was accidentally disconnected. Patient is in respi distress and hypotensive. Please help!:nurse:

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gosh, i dont know, but I hope somebody here can answer you fast

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
Hi! Need some assistance here...How do you position a patient 24hrs post-op whose CVP line was accidentally disconnected. Patient is in respi distress and hypotensive. Please help!:nurse:

Turn patient on side right side up with a little trendelenburg. This is supposed to contain the air embolus up in the right ventricle instead of the pulmonary vessels. If the patient still haad the CVP in , its theoretically possible to aspirate the air out but I've never seen this. This positioning, of course, assumes cause of the hypotension and respiratory distress IS an air embolus.

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Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

Did the CVP line come OUT, or become disconnected and (supposedly) through this, introduce air into the venous system?

Subee is right, and also make sure pt is well oxygenated, with a high-flow mask at the ready in case the NC isn't doing the job.

Reminds me of the air aspiration we had once during a transjugular liver biopsy, when sedated pt took a breath at an inopportune time (withdrawing one catheter from the IJ sheath to exchange it for another). The Radiologist was very calm, instructed us to "turn up the O2 ." We did so, and observed the pt. I believe there was some transient hypotension but overall the pt did well, and the symptoms disappeared within 10 min.

How did your pt do?

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