What to do if air enters the water supply

Intravenous drip is a common treatment method, also called hanging water. It is an intravenous injection that can quickly relieve pain and has good anti-inflammatory effects. The time for hanging water is relatively long, often more than half an hour. If air is accidentally introduced during the hanging water, it is often very harmful and measures should be taken in time. Let us learn about it.

What happens if you put air in the drip?

From a medical point of view, there should be no danger for less than 10 ml of air to enter the blood of a normal adult at one time, as it can be cleared by itself. The consequences of air entering the blood circulation depend on the speed and amount of air entering. A small amount of gas entering the blood can be dissolved in the blood and gas embolism will not occur.

However, if the amount is more than 10 ml, it will pose a threat to life. It is easy to form the so-called "air embolism" which will block the arteries and cause acute cerebral infarction, acute myocardial infarction and endanger life. Moreover, all this will happen quickly and cause great harm. In addition, if more than 100 ml of gas quickly enters the vein and reaches the right heart with the blood, the beating of the heart will mix the air and blood to form a large number of blood bubbles, making the blood foamy and filling the heart cavity, hindering the return of venous blood and its transport to the pulmonary artery, causing serious circulatory disorders. Patients experience breathing difficulties, cyanosis, and even sudden death. Sometimes it may also cause embolism in some organs in the systemic circulation. It is recommended to go to the cardiovascular department of the hospital for a timely physical examination.

Why does air entering the blood vessels kill people?

Human blood vessels are mainly divided into arteries and veins. Arterial blood flows from the heart to all parts of the body, while venous blood flows back to the heart from all parts of the body. Once air accidentally leaks in, it will form an "invisible barrier" (air embolism) in the blood vessels, blocking the blood vessels like a big stone, leading to acute heart failure. The main symptoms at this time are heart failure, abnormal discomfort in the chest, and difficulty breathing. Resulting in sudden death. Therefore, air getting into blood vessels is no small matter.

What to do if air enters the water supply

Treatment steps: Immediately clamp the intravenous access - lower the head and lie on the left side - notify the doctor - oxygen inhalation - drug treatment - observe vital signs - inform family members - record the cause and rescue process - continue to observe.

1. Expel all air before infusion. During the infusion, timely inspection and close observation should be carried out, even when the liquid is changed, to prevent air from entering the vein and forming embolism.

2. When air is found to have entered the body, clamp the intravenous line immediately to prevent further entry of air.

3. Let the patient lie in the left side decubitus position with the head low and the feet high, so that air can enter the right ventricle and avoid the entrance of the pulmonary artery. Due to the beating of the heart, the air is mixed into foam and enters the pulmonary artery in small amounts at a time. At the same time, notify the doctor and cooperate with the doctor to make emergency treatment.

4. Immediately give the patient pure oxygen, and if conditions permit, perform hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

5. If there is cerebral convulsion, diazepam can be used. Hormones can also be used to reduce cerebral edema, and heparin and small molecule dextran can be used to improve circulation.

6. After the patient's condition stabilizes, record the cause of air entry, air volume and treatment process in detail and truthfully.

7. Continue to observe and record until it is proven that the patient is completely out of danger.

Tip: Air embolism is a life-threatening complication that is difficult to treat and has a poor prognosis, so prevention is very important.