Gas embolism

This hydrolysis reaction is accelerated by acids or heat and, in some instances, by catalysts. Because the flammable gas hydrogen is formed, a potential fire hazard may result unless adequate ventilation is provided. Ingestion of hydrides must be avoided because hydrolysis to form hydrogen could result in gas embolism. 

D.M. Eckman, V.N. Lomivorotov, Microvascular gas embolization clearance following perfluorocarbon administration, J. Appl. Physiol. 94 (2003) 860-868. 

A similar phenomenon can be observed in the cuffs and balloons of tracheal tubes, flotation catheters, etc. Increases in cuff pressure may be sufficient to cause mucosal ischaemia with subsequent damage to the tracheal mucosa. In the case of pulmonary flotation catheters, there is a risk of cuff rupture followed by gas embolism and infarction. A number of factors affect the rate of volume and pressure change—time, permeability, elasticity, initial volume and pressure, nitrous oxide concentration, temperature. 

When the ozone plant first started up, a large number of fish died suddenly at the Aquarium of the France d Outremer Museum, which is served with water from Saint-Maur. The cause was eventually traced to gas embolism in the gills of the fish, which came about through the presence of air bubbles in the water. The pumped water is saturated after ozone treatment, and the bubbles were released as the head decreased and as the temperature of the water increased during the long run through the pipelines in the museum. 

The doctors felt they had little to lose. The soldiers were dropping faster than in a battle with the Gurkas. They treated only those cases that were considered hopeless. Out of these they saved about 50 percent—13 out of 25 lived. All would have died without hydrogen peroxide. There was none of the dreaded gas embolism or any other side-effects. 

Lorencz reasoned that hydrogen peroxide should be safer than intravenous oxygen because, since the hydrogen peroxide is in solution, molecules of it are widely separated from each other by water. The bubbles, he surmised, would be minute and very unlikely to cause a dangerous gas embolism. 

Tsai SK, Lee TY, Mok MS Gas Embolism Produced by Hydrogen Peroxide Irrigation of an Anal Fistula During Anesthesia. 1985 63 316-317. 

White-yellowish powder. Strong oxidizer/ respiratory and dermal irritant. Decomposes to H202. 10% solution can cause skin bums. Ingestion irritation and gas embolism. 

The toxicological information on lithium aluminnm hydride is scant. Becanse it is highly moistnre sensitive, it canses skin bnm on contact with moist skin. Its hydrolysis prodnct lithinm hyroxide is strongly alkaline and corrosive. Ingestion could result in gas embolism dne to hydrogen, which forms readily on reaction with water. 

Mullins ME, Beltran JT Acute cerebral gas embolism from hydmgen eroxide ingestion successfully treated with hyperbaric oxygen. J Texicel Clin Texicol 1998 36(3) 253-256. 

E.C. Pierce, Cerebral gas embolism with special reference to iatrogenic accidents, Hyperbaric... 

Decompression Sickness and Arterial Gas Embolism," J.C. Davies, ed., Undersea Medical... 

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