Microbubbles: pathophysiology and clinical implications. 2005

Michal Barak, and Yeshayahu Katz
Department of Anesthesiology, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.

Gas embolism is a known complication of various invasive procedures, and its management is well established. The consequence of gas microemboli, microbubbles, is underrecognized and usually overlooked in daily practice. We present the current data regarding the pathophysiology of microemboli and their clinical consequences. Microbubbles originate mainly in extracorporeal lines and devices, such as cardiopulmonary bypass and dialysis machines, but may be endogenous in cases of decompression sickness or mechanical heart valves. Circulating in the blood stream, microbubbles lodge in the capillary bed of various organs, mainly the lungs. The microbubble obstructs blood flow in the capillary, thus causing tissue ischemia, followed by inflammatory response and complement activation. Aggregation of platelets and clot formation occurs as well, leading to further obstruction of microcirculation and tissue damage. In this review, we present evidence of the biological and clinical detrimental effects of microbubbles as demonstrated by studies in animal models and humans, and discuss management of the microbubble problem with regard to detection, prevention, and treatment.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008833 Microcirculation The circulation of the BLOOD through the MICROVASCULAR NETWORK. Microvascular Blood Flow,Microvascular Circulation,Blood Flow, Microvascular,Circulation, Microvascular,Flow, Microvascular Blood,Microvascular Blood Flows,Microvascular Circulations
D001777 Blood Coagulation The process of the interaction of BLOOD COAGULATION FACTORS that results in an insoluble FIBRIN clot. Blood Clotting,Coagulation, Blood,Blood Clottings,Clotting, Blood
D003165 Complement System Proteins Serum glycoproteins participating in the host defense mechanism of COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION that creates the COMPLEMENT MEMBRANE ATTACK COMPLEX. Included are glycoproteins in the various pathways of complement activation (CLASSICAL COMPLEMENT PATHWAY; ALTERNATIVE COMPLEMENT PATHWAY; and LECTIN COMPLEMENT PATHWAY). Complement Proteins,Complement,Complement Protein,Hemolytic Complement,Complement, Hemolytic,Protein, Complement,Proteins, Complement,Proteins, Complement System
D004617 Embolism Blocking of a blood vessel by an embolus which can be a blood clot or other undissolved material in the blood stream. Embolus,Embolisms
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D045423 Microbubbles Small encapsulated gas bubbles (diameters of micrometers) that can be used as CONTRAST MEDIA, and in other diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Upon exposure to sufficiently intense ultrasound, microbubbles will cavitate, rupture, disappear, release gas content. Such characteristics of the microbubbles can be used to enhance diagnostic tests, dissolve blood clots, and deliver drugs or genes for therapy. Colloidal Gas Aphrons,Aphron, Colloidal Gas,Aphrons, Colloidal Gas,Colloidal Gas Aphron,Gas Aphron, Colloidal,Gas Aphrons, Colloidal,Microbubble

Related Publications

Michal Barak, and Yeshayahu Katz
January 1996, Methods in enzymology,
Michal Barak, and Yeshayahu Katz
February 2012, Revue medicale suisse,
Michal Barak, and Yeshayahu Katz
January 2021, WIREs mechanisms of disease,
Michal Barak, and Yeshayahu Katz
May 2007, Blood reviews,
Michal Barak, and Yeshayahu Katz
January 2004, Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache,
Michal Barak, and Yeshayahu Katz
January 2009, Journal of hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery,
Michal Barak, and Yeshayahu Katz
January 1990, Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association,
Michal Barak, and Yeshayahu Katz
January 1988, Clinical and experimental hypertension. Part A, Theory and practice,
Michal Barak, and Yeshayahu Katz
October 2008, Schmerz (Berlin, Germany),
Michal Barak, and Yeshayahu Katz
January 2013, Einstein (Sao Paulo, Brazil),
Copied contents to your clipboard!