Air embolism

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An air embolism, also known as a gas embolism, is a blood vessel blockage caused by one or more bubbles of air or other gas in the circulatory system. Air can be introduced into the circulation during surgical procedures, lung over-expansion injury, decompression, and a few other causes. In flora, air embolisms may also occur in the xylem of vascular plants, especially those suffering from water stress. Divers can develop arterial gas embolisms as a consequence of lung over-expansion injuries. Gas introduced into the venous system of the lungs by pulmonary barotrauma will not be trapped in the alveolar capillaries and will consequently be circulated to the rest of the body through the systemic arteries, with a high risk of embolism. Inert gas bubbles arising from decompression are generally formed in the venous side of the systemic circulation, where inert gas concentrations are highest. These bubbles are generally trapped in the capillaries of the lungs, where they will usually be eliminated...

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