• 5mL/kg required for significant injury (sock or cardiac arrest)
  • Complication have been reports with 20 mL

 

  • Rapid entry of large volumes of air entering the systemic venous circulation puts a substantial strain on the right ventricle, causing rise in pulmonary artery pressure and increasing pulmonary (RV) outflow obstruction. In turn, decreases pulmonary venous return to the left heart. This decreases left ventricular preload with resultant decreased cardiac output and eventually systemic cardiovascular collapse
  • Results tachyarrhythmias are frequent, but bradyarrhythmia’s can also occur