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What happens when you have an air embolism?

5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Geoffrey Rutledge
Internal Medicine
3 doctors agree

In brief: Occasional problems

As dr. Simpson says, usually nothing happens when a small amount of air enters the veins.
It is trapped in the lung and absorbed. However, if the amount of air is large, it can block blood flow in the lung. Also, if there is a hole in the heart (atrial septal defect), or a so-called "shunt" of blood that bypasses the lung, air can get into the arteries and cause a stroke.

In brief: Occasional problems

As dr. Simpson says, usually nothing happens when a small amount of air enters the veins.
It is trapped in the lung and absorbed. However, if the amount of air is large, it can block blood flow in the lung. Also, if there is a hole in the heart (atrial septal defect), or a so-called "shunt" of blood that bypasses the lung, air can get into the arteries and cause a stroke.
Thank
Disclaimer
Dr. Terry Simpson
Surgery

In brief: Nothing usually

The air typically is broken up as it goes through tissues- rare it causes strokes or other issues.

In brief: Nothing usually

The air typically is broken up as it goes through tissues- rare it causes strokes or other issues.
Thank
Disclaimer
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