mach1of8

no problem

I assume you are stating this above because you don't think the laying flat head below the heart is to prevent air embolism, right? So just so we all are clear on "your" expert position on this subject, you are stating that air embolisms are not a threat during insertion or removal of central lines, so position and techniques don't matter. If so, you might want to enter "air embolism" search in some major online sites like: Critical Care Magazine, Journal of Intensive Care, New England Journal of Medicine, Annals of Internal medicine, JAMA, chest journal, Journal of Vascular intervention and LWW.com . You would find many articles to the contrary, and documented cases of injury and death from air embolisms.

It is not remote. It will happen, and it can kill....this is precisely why doctors always have the patient laying flat head below heart upon insertion of central lines. Follow the procedure posted by Crocuta and the advise of critterlover

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

What is the standard to prevent air embolisms during removal of a central RIJ line? I get conflicting messages on this. Is it important and necessary lay the patient flat and have them perform Valsalva, or not? Several responses would be a good indication of the norm...thanks. Also, what if the patient does not want to lay flat?

I had a patient who developed a 150 pulse minutes after another nurse removed a RIJ catheter from her while sitting upright. Does anyone have experiences like this?