Air Embolism Associated with Intravascular Catheter

Were there significant problems encountered while trying to insert an intravascular catheter?

Has the catheter been manipulated?

Has a connector in the fluid line become loose or disconnected?

Has the catheter or a connector been damaged or fractured?

Has an intravascular catheter been removed?

Were precautions taking to occlude the site after the catheter was removed?

Is the diameter of the catheter relatively large?

Was the catheter hub or infusion line open to air for more than a second or two?

Was the line manipulated while the patient was sitting up, coughing or breathing deeply?

Was a pressure infusion system used to infuse fluids through the catheter?

Is the patient in a high pressure environment?

Does the patient have a low central venous pressure (due to shock, dehydration, etc)?