How much air entering through intravenous infusion is dangerous?

Nov 05, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Yang Ziqi

Introduction

When a large volume of air (typically more than 100 milliliters) rapidly enters the vein, it travels with the bloodstream to the heart, where it forms bubbles that obstruct normal blood ejection. This prevents the heart from effectively pumping blood throughout the body, leading to air embolism. Patients may quickly develop symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and confusion; in severe cases, this condition can be life-threatening within a short period of time.

Under normal circumstances, if more than 100 milliliters of air enters the body during intravenous infusion, there is a significant risk of causing an air embolism. If only a small amount of air enters (e.g., less than 10 milliliters) and the patient is in good health, the air can usually be gradually absorbed by the body without posing serious risks. However, if any abnormal reactions occur, medical attention should be sought promptly. The detailed explanation is as follows:

When a large volume of air (typically exceeding 100 mL) rapidly enters a vein, it travels with the bloodstream to the heart, where it forms bubbles that obstruct normal blood ejection. This prevents the heart from effectively pumping blood to the body, leading to air embolism. Patients may rapidly develop symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, and confusion. In severe cases, this condition can be life-threatening within a short time. It often results from improper infusion procedures or inadequate air expulsion from the infusion set.

If only a small amount of air (generally less than 10 mL) enters the body and the patient has normal heart and lung function, the tiny air bubbles will gradually disperse and dissolve in the bloodstream. They are ultimately eliminated through gas exchange in the lungs, causing no noticeable harm or symptoms. However, even small amounts of air may cause mild discomfort in patients with pre-existing severe heart or lung conditions, so close monitoring of physical status is necessary.

During intravenous infusion, one should pay attention to whether there is any air in the infusion tubing. If air is detected, healthcare providers should be informed immediately to remove it. If sudden symptoms such as chest pain or difficulty breathing occur during infusion, medical staff should be alerted immediately—do not adjust the infusion equipment yourself.

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