What complication may occur from an air embolism?

An air embolism occurs when air enters the vascular system, potentially leading to serious complications. One of the most critical outcomes of an air embolism is the risk of cardiac arrest or stroke. When air travels through the bloodstream, it can obstruct blood flow, particularly in the chambers of the heart or the cerebral circulation. This obstruction can lead to a lack of oxygen supply to the heart muscle or the brain, which can result in a myocardial infarction (heart attack) or a stroke, respectively.

The mechanism behind this is related to the way air behaves in the bloodstream. As air forms bubbles, these can aggregate and travel to the heart or brain, leading to sudden interruptions in normal blood flow. This kind of obstruction is life-threatening and requires immediate medical intervention.

In contrast, while other complications like hemorrhage, kidney failure, or skin necrosis can arise from various medical conditions or interventions, they are not direct results of an air embolism. Hence, the association of cardiac arrest or stroke as a consequence of an air embolism highlights the critical nature of this complication in vascular access therapy.