Venous air embolism during line removal
Educational use only. Not clinically reviewed58-year-old man for Internal jugular central venous catheter removal. About 8 simulated minutes.
What you will practise
- Recognize the abrupt cardiopulmonary monitor pattern and call for help.
- Record intent to prevent further air entry while the source remains plausible.
- Deliver 100% oxygen with active breath support.
- Reassess carbon dioxide, pressure, and oxygenation as the bounded pattern clears.
Review and sources
Not clinically reviewed. No clinician has signed this scenario.
- Association of Anaesthetists Quick Reference Handbook, June 2023, 3-5 Circulatory embolus v1.
- Hinkelbein et al. Cardiac arrest in the perioperative period: a consensus guideline. European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery. 2023;49:2031–2046. PMID 37430174.
- McCarthy et al. Air Embolism: Diagnosis, Clinical Management and Outcomes. Diagnostics. 2017;7:5. PMID 28106717.
Open Sim Lab is an educational simulator, not for clinical use. It is not a clinical decision-support tool, not a dosing calculator, and is not validated for any decision affecting a real patient.