Air emboli with Haemaccel (R)

We report two cases of venous air embolism which occurred in association wi th infusion of Haemaccel(R) using a pressure bag. As a result of these inci dents, we performed a study that showed that up to 15 ml of air can be infu sed into a patient from a pressurised Haemaccel(R) plastic bottle using a s tandard administration set. We also demonstrated that the volume of air inf used was influenced by the type and size of the pressure bag and the warmin g of the Haemaccel(R) plastic container.