What to do if air bubbles get into your blood vessels with an IV

What to do after an air bubble enters a blood vessel during an IV drip may be very stressful for some patients. In fact, small air bubbles, such as 1-2 ml or less, entering the blood vessels are not likely to cause any symptoms. The main reason is that after the bubbles enter the blood vessels and are diluted by the blood, they form small microvascular bubbles that can be gradually absorbed by the blood and do not cause any symptoms. As long as clinical observation, attention to oxygenation or observation of vital signs is sufficient. For the input of more air bubbles into the blood vessels, pulmonary embolism or air embolism can be prevented, and lung function or oxygen saturation should be closely monitored, and oxygen should be administered immediately in case of respiratory distress, and tracheal intubation or ventilator treatment should be given if necessary. Hemofiltration dialysis can potentially save the patient’s life by filtering large amounts of air bubbles from the blood. Usually air bubbles entering the blood vessels are not very dangerous for the patient.