Why no air bubbles in IV lines for cardiac patients?

[socalRN3]

Quick question...I understand there should be no air in any IV line, however, why is it especially crucial to not have air bubbles in IV lines for cardiac patients?

Thanks!

[kacefaceRN]

Patent foramen ovale

From Pubmed Health:

While a baby grows in the womb, there is a normal opening between the left and right atria (upper chambers) of the heart. If this opening fails to close naturally soon after the baby is born, the hole is called patent foramen ovale (PFO).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

A foramen ovale allows blood to bypass the lungs. A baby's lungs are not used when it grows in the womb, so the hole does not cause problems in an unborn infant. The opening is supposed to close soon after birth, but sometimes it does not. In about 1 out of 4 people, the opening never closes. If it does not, it is called a patent foramen ovale (PFO).

The cause of a PFO is unknown. There are no known risk factors.

Symptoms

Infants with a patent foramen ovale and no other heart defects do not have symptoms.

Signs and tests

An echocardiogram can be done to diagnose a PFO. If the PFO is not easily seen, a cardiologist can perform a "bubble test." Saline solution (salt water) is injected into the body as the cardiologist watches the heart on an ultrasound (echocardiogram) monitor. If a PFO exists, tiny air bubbles will be seen moving from the right to left side of the heart.

I've never seen a bubble test performed, but you learn something every day!