eli5 Why are air embolisms so deadly? Like, what about an air bubble can’t your body fix pretty easily?

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I would have thought that an air bubble gets popped and we move on. That the gas eventually dissolves and gets passed somehow.

So, what’s going on? Why does the heart stop so violently? It acts like there was an implosion on the inside…

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57 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

There are some wild numbers being thrown around on here for what volume is safe. I will say this. Most IV tubing holds from 8-20mls. A small bubble which you see is usually around 0.3mls.

A test that is done frequently is called a bubble study. During this 5-10mls of air is agitated in a syringe with saline and purposely injected into a peripheral vein while the heart is watched via ultrasound (echocardiogram).

This is considered a routine and safe procedure. So I always tell people it would take roughly 2 full tubings full of air before it could cause harm.

Anonymous 0 Comments

There are some wild numbers being thrown around on here for what volume is safe. I will say this. Most IV tubing holds from 8-20mls. A small bubble which you see is usually around 0.3mls.

A test that is done frequently is called a bubble study. During this 5-10mls of air is agitated in a syringe with saline and purposely injected into a peripheral vein while the heart is watched via ultrasound (echocardiogram).

This is considered a routine and safe procedure. So I always tell people it would take roughly 2 full tubings full of air before it could cause harm.

Anonymous 0 Comments

There are some wild numbers being thrown around on here for what volume is safe. I will say this. Most IV tubing holds from 8-20mls. A small bubble which you see is usually around 0.3mls.

A test that is done frequently is called a bubble study. During this 5-10mls of air is agitated in a syringe with saline and purposely injected into a peripheral vein while the heart is watched via ultrasound (echocardiogram).

This is considered a routine and safe procedure. So I always tell people it would take roughly 2 full tubings full of air before it could cause harm.

Anonymous 0 Comments

I recently got a drip-infusion and right at the very front of the tube there was quite some air 😧 I thought it was weird and I was a bit concerned, but the nurse said, that a little bubble wouldn’t matter 😡

Anonymous 0 Comments

I recently got a drip-infusion and right at the very front of the tube there was quite some air 😧 I thought it was weird and I was a bit concerned, but the nurse said, that a little bubble wouldn’t matter 😡

Anonymous 0 Comments

I recently got a drip-infusion and right at the very front of the tube there was quite some air 😧 I thought it was weird and I was a bit concerned, but the nurse said, that a little bubble wouldn’t matter 😡

Anonymous 0 Comments

Is it like a air in straw?

Anonymous 0 Comments

Is it like a air in straw?

Anonymous 0 Comments

Is it like a air in straw?

Anonymous 0 Comments

Man, one of the freakiest things on TV that I will never forget because it scarred me is when they blow the air into that guy’s IV on Orange Is The New Black. Absolutely horrifying.