The Mount Sinai journal of medicine, New York
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Air embolism occurred in a 25-year-old patient undergoing surgery for reconstruction of the subclavian vein. Air embolism probably occurred twice, the second time at about an hour after closure of the vein. The cause of this delayed air embolism is discussed. We conclude that capnographic monitoring for air embolism is advisable whenever surgery is performed on a patient in the half-sitting position, and that inserting a central venous catheter to facilitate removal of the air in the event of massive air embolism may be wise.
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I report on 25 asthmatic patients in whom airways obstruction was not detectable by conventional spirometric indices, but was suggested by a reduced or negative forced expiratory reserve volume (FERV), that is, the ERV measured from the forced vital capacity (FVC) maneuver and preceding tidal breaths. Patients with known causes for reduced ERV were excluded. ⋯ The FERV is easily measured in a physician's office or clinic. If this simple test is to provide a clue to the presence of airways obstruction that is otherwise not demonstrable spirometrically, the FVC maneuver must be maximal and reproducible and the preceding tidal breaths, as well as the FVC, must be graphically recorded.