Hyperbaric Oxygenation in the Treatment of Hemodialysis-Associated Air Embolism

Abstract

HYPERBARIC oxygenation has been used extensively in the management of clinical situations in which abnormal quantities of air have gained access to the venous and arterial sides of the circulation.1 2 3 It appears reasonable, therefore, to manage air embolism, an occasional complication of hemodialysis, in a similar fashion. We reviewed the clinical course of nine patients who sustained air embolism during hemodialysis and were treated with hyperbaric oxygenation.Patients and MethodsThe patients were referred from three dialysis centers and home dialysis settings during the period 1971–1974.All patients were dialyzed on conventional Travenol RSP artificial-kidney machines and received 200 to . . .