Are Doppler-detected venous emboli during cesarean section air emboli?

TitleAre Doppler-detected venous emboli during cesarean section air emboli?
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1990
AuthorsFong J, Gadalla F, Pierri MK, Druzin M
JournalAnesth Analg
Volume71
Issue3
Pagination254-7
Date Published1990 Sep
ISSN0003-2999
KeywordsAnesthesia, Epidural, Anesthesia, General, Cesarean Section, Echocardiography, Embolism, Air, Female, Humans, Pregnancy, Ultrasonography, Veins
Abstract

The incidence of venous emboli during cesarean section was studied using simultaneous precordial ultrasonic Doppler monitoring and two-dimensional echocardiography. Forty-nine patients receiving either general or continuous epidural anesthesia in the horizontal position were monitored with both Doppler monitoring and echocardiography. There was excellent correlation between the embolic events detected by Doppler monitoring and by echocardiography (kappa value = 1). The incidence of venous emboli was 29% (14/49). The venous emboli detected by Doppler monitoring were indeed air emboli, not amniotic fluid or thromboemboli, as illustrated by their echocardiographic appearance.

Alternate JournalAnesth. Analg.
PubMed ID2203279