Transesophageal echocardiography and transcutaneous O2 and CO2 monitoring for detection of venous air embolism.

The sensitivities of current monitoring methods for detection of air embolism were compared in eight anesthetized dogs. Air was infused at controlled rates of 0.001 and 0.005 ml. k−1.min−1for 1 min; 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 ml.kg−1for 6 min; and 5 ml. kg−1bolus injection. Based on the mean quan