Clinical strategies documented for the management of embolism
| Clinical strategy | Number (n = 38)* | % |
|---|---|---|
| *Combinations of clinical strategies were used in most cases. | ||
| †Inspired oxygen fraction. | ||
| ‡Intermittent positive pressure ventilation. | ||
| §Adrenaline in three cases, ephedrine in two, and atropine, calcium, dopamine, metaraminol, and an unspecified drug in one case each. | ||
| ¶Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (includes one report of internal cardiac compression). | ||
| **DC cardioversion; bilateral carotid compression; alveolar arterial oxygen gradient measurement; call for help. | ||
| Change FIO2† to 1.0 | 21 | 55 |
| Communicate with surgeon | 12 | 32 |
| Change to manual IPPV‡ | 11 | 29 |
| Control the source of air | 11 | 29 |
| Administer drugs§ | 10 | 26 |
| Head down posture | 9 | 24 |
| Increase IV fluids | 8 | 21 |
| Turn off inhalation agents | 7 | 18 |
| Flood surgical field | 5 | 13 |
| Aspirate gas via line | 5 | 13 |
| Commence CPR¶ | 4 | 11 |
| Other** | 4 | 11 |