


The embolism might potentially prevent oxygenated blood from reaching the target organ and cause ischemia (an inadequate blood supply to an organ) if the heart is affected it can produce a heart attack. In rare cases, they can reach the heart and disrupt its workings.Īrterial gas embolisms are much more serious. In general, these are stopped at the lungs and do little or no harm. Some medical procedures can cause small amounts of air to enter the venous system via an intravenous drip, for instance. However, all of the above have the potential to cause severe damage to organs and systems if left unchecked.

The bubbles will, at some point, cut off the blood supply to a particular area of the body.Īir embolism can easily cause significant and permanent damage to the central nervous system and as such must be treated as an emergency.Ī venous embolism is not as serious as an arterial embolism, which is itself not as serious as a cerebral embolism. Share on Pinterest An air embolism is a gas bubble trapped within a vein or artery.Īn embolism, in general, refers to anything untoward that has become trapped within the vascular system.Īn air embolism, specifically, is a bubble, or bubbles, of gas trapped within the blood vessels.
