Circulation 122,210 • Volume 33, No. 2 • October 2018   Issue PDF

Burette Malpositioned Shut Off Valve Could Lead to Venous Air Embolism

Venous air embolism (VAE) is a life-threatening emergency. Extensive causes of air embolism have been described in the literature.1 Embolisms from peripheral intravenous (IV) infusions are extremely rare, especially in the pediatric population. However, they can still occur1-5 and have the potential to be fatal.6 We present a potential cause of VAE due to a malpositioning of a 150 mL burette (ICU Medical Inc., Burette Set, B33839) resulting in failure of the shut-off valve. This problem has not been previously described in the literature.

At our institution, 150 mL burettes are attached to Normal Saline (NS)/Lactated Ringer’s (LR) 500 mL solution collapsible bags for IV fluid administration in children less than nine years old (Figure 1). A shortage of NS/LR 500 mL bags prompted the use of NS/LR 1000 mL bags. However, the NS 1000 mL bag caused the burette to hang at an angle, which in turn, led to a malpositioned shut-off valve (Figure 2). Theoretically, if all the fluid in the burette had been administered and the vent (Figure 3) remained open, the Venturi effect at the venous access site could have allowed air in the IV tubing to enter the circulation. This process could lead to a VAE. If the burette vent is closed, air is prevented from reaching the patient. Fortunately, for our patient, the vent was closed, preventing air from eventually reaching the venous circulation.

Figure 1. Burette perpendicular to floor with 500 mL NS Bag.

Figure 1. Burette perpendicular to floor with 500 mL NS Bag.

Figure 2. Burette angled to floor with 1000 mL NS Bag.

Figure 2. Burette angled to floor with 1000 mL NS Bag.

Figure 3. Depicts the setup of the burette.<br /> Reproduced and modified with permission from ICU Medical Inc.

Figure 3. Depicts the setup of the burette.
Reproduced and modified with permission from ICU Medical Inc.

The National Quality Forum considers VAE a “never event” and the Joint Commission lists it as one of their reportable “sentinel events.”7 VAEs due to peripheral venous infusions can occur due to a variety of errors: inadequately primed tubing,2,6 use of an IV pump without an air detection alarm,3 and manipulation of peripheral IVs.4,5 The outcomes can be devastating, especially in infants or patients with congenital heart disease since paradoxical emboli are more likely to occur with a patent foramen ovale or a right-to-left shunt.2-5 The addition of a micron air filter to the distal end of peripheral IV tubing can substantially decrease the risk of VAE.1-2 However, these filters can add significant resistance and may hinder gravity infusion, especially in conjunction with small gauge peripheral IVs. Air detection devices (albeit more expensive)meticulously de-airing of infusion sets, and inline air removal devices (such as, autoventing filters) may reduce the VAE risk.8,9

Figure 4. Burette with addition of rubber band or device with 1000 mL LR Bag.

Figure 4. Burette with addition of rubber band or device with 1000 mL LR Bag.

While the 150 mL burette is ideal to administer the appropriate amount of IV fluid to smaller pediatric patients via gravity infusion, the anesthesia professional should be aware of the possible increased risk of venous air embolism due to the rigid nature of the burette. The built-in shut off-valve helps mitigate this risk, but only if the burette is hanging perpendicular (straight) to the floor (Figure 3). If a 1000 mL fluid bag is required, the simple addition of a rubber band or similar device which lowers the burette in relation to the fluid bag allows it to hang in vertical orientation, eliminating the risk of a malpositioned shut-off valve (Figure 4). We recommend the addition of a micron air filter if the health care provider does not have direct visualization of the chamber while fluids are being administered, and especially in those patients at highest risk of paradoxical emboli.

 

Cassandra R. Duncan-Azadi, MD
Director of Pediatric PACU and NORA
Assistant Clinical Professor of Anesthesiology, The Children’s Hospital, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Alberto J. de Armendi, MD, PhD, MBA
Robert W. and Elise B. Lykins Chair in Anesthesiology; Professor of Anesthesiology, The Children’s Hospital, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Amir L. Butt MBBS, MPH
Research Program Coordinator
Dept. of Anesthesiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

None of the authors have any disclosures as they pertain to this article.

References

  1. Cook LS. Infusion-related air embolism. J Infus Nurs 2013; 36:26-36.
  2. Levy I, Mosseri R, Garty B. Peripheral intravenous infusion—another cause of air embolism. Acta Paediatr 1996; 85:385-6.
  3. Willis J, Duncan C, Gottschalk S. Paraplegia due to peripheral venous air embolus in a neonate: a case report. Pediatrics. 1981; 67:472-3.
  4. Weidenbach M, Riede FT, Dahnert I. Echocardiographic detection of coronary air embolism as the cause of cardiac arrest in a neonate with transposition of the great arteries. Pediatr Cardiol 2011; 32:1264-5.
  5. Robinson A. Air embolism following CAT scan in a patient with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Pediatr Cardiol 2003; 24:186.
  6. Sowell MW, Lovelady CL, Brogdon BG, et. al. Infant death due to air embolism from peripheral venous infusion. J Forensic Sci 2007; 52:183–188.
  7. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Never Events. http://psnet.ahrq.gov/primer.aspx?primerID=3. Accessed on June 24, 2018.
  8. Rieger A, Philippi W, Spies C, et. al. Safe and normothermic massive transfusions by modification of an infusion warming and pressure device. J Trauma 1995; 39:686–8.
  9. Pedersen NT, Hessov I. Venous air embolism through infusion sets. Theoretical considerations, model experiments and prevention. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 1978; 22:117–22.

 

Reply:

We thank the editors for the opportunity to respond to this report. This case describes the use of a burette set to administer fluid while hanging in a non-vertical position. In this case, no patient injury was reported and ICU Medical has not received the product described in the report for further evaluation.

As the authors illustrate, a non-vertical burette orientation may impact the function of a floating shut off valve. In the product described, the shut off valve functions by floating on the surface of the fluid in the burette and coming to rest on the floor of the burette as the fluid level drops to occlude the tubing outlet and subsequently limit flow. When the burette is hanging in a vertical position, the float valve is in a horizontal position aligned with the burette floor (Figure 1). When the burette is non-vertical, the float valve continues to float horizontally on the fluid surface, but the burette floor is in a non-horizontal position, which may impede the shut off valve’s ability to rest properly on the floor of the burette and limit flow when the fluid level drops (Figure 2).

Based on this report, ICU Medical has initiated a review of our burette set products and associated labeling. The directions for use of burette products will be reviewed in consideration of adding specific recommendations to use the burette only in the vertical position for the shutoff valve function. Additionally, alternative shut off valve designs will be evaluated for performance comparison to the float valve. Proximal tubing length (between the solution container and the burette) will be assessed in consideration of length extension to prevent burette pull when connected to a 1000 ml flexible container. The addition of air-eliminating filters on our burette sets will be considered as a customer option.

Utilization of an infusion pump with an air trap and/or an air-in-line detector is an additional option for patients who require precise fluid management and are at risk for air embolism. Infusion pumps enable accurate delivery of infusion volumes, detection of air, and utilize administration sets available in multiple configurations including those with needle-free injection ports, air filters, and burettes.

In summary, ICU Medical thanks the authors for sharing this report with the anesthesia community. We appreciate the opportunity to provide this response and details for the safe and effective use of burette sets.

 

Sincerely,
JW Beard, MD, MBA
Medical Director, Medical Affairs
ICU Medical Inc.

APSF Executive Committee Invites Collaboration

From time to time, the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation reconfirms its commitment to working with all who devote their energies to making anesthesia as safe as humanly possible. Thus, the Foundation invites collaboration from all who administer anesthesia, all who provide the settings in which anesthesia is practiced, and all individuals and organizations who, through their work, affect the safety of patients receiving anesthesia. The APSF is eager to listen to their suggestions and to work with them toward the common goal of safe anesthesia for every patient. If you are interested, please contact Mark Warner, MD at [email protected].

The information provided is for safety-related educational purposes only, and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Individual or group responses are only commentary, provided for purposes of education or discussion, and are neither statements of advice nor the opinions of APSF. It is not the intention of APSF to provide specific medical or legal advice or to endorse any specific views or recommendations in response to the inquiries posted. In no event shall APSF be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the reliance on any such information.