venous air embolism

[SillyStudent]

Why is the risk for a venous air embolism higher when the patient is sitting?

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[biophysicianai]

just a guess, but is it a combo of gas rising + a lack of venous valves in relevant veins?

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

gravity...

 

[SillyStudent]

Thanks to the keyword gravity I found this in google books.

With the operative site elevated compared with the heart, gravity causes a negative venous gradient between the operative site and the right atrium; this creates a potential for an air embolism if a venous sinus is opened.

From
Alexander's Care of the Patient in Surgery

Thanks, question solved.