Venous Gas Embolism

Excerpt

Venous gas embolism (VGE) is the abnormal accumulation of gas forming bubbles within the systemic venous circulation, which act as emboli and disrupt blood flow. Most VGE cases are iatrogenic and may result from central venous cannulation, head and neck surgery, blunt or penetrating chest trauma, thoracentesis, hemodialysis, or high-pressure mechanical ventilation. VGE can also occur during diving or following radiocontrast injection for computed tomography (CT) scans. Although many cases are clinically silent and go unreported, symptomatic VGE requires immediate intervention due to the potential for cardiovascular collapse and death.