Successful therapy of cerebral air embolism with hyperbaric oxygen at 2.8 ATA.

Abstract

A 60-year-old male patient suddenly developed blindness, agitation, and disorientation 36 h after coronary bypass surgery. Onset of symptoms followed efforts to clear an air-filled radial artery cannula. Seven hours after onset of symptoms, initial compression to 2.8 ATA (60 fsw), 100% oxygen (U.S. Navy Table 6), steroids, intravenous fluids, and antiplatelet drugs were used for therapy. The patient's agitation and disorientation dictated that we avoid initial compression to 6 ATA (165 fsw), contrary to conventional practice in therapy of air embolism, and instead immediately give oxygen at 2.8 ATA. After a second treatment with USN Table 6, given 6 h after the first, the patient's vision and mental state returned to normal. He subsequently had an uneventful recovery from surgery and cerebral air embolism.

• Authors: A A Bove, J M Clark, A J Simon, C J Lambertsen
• Journal: Undersea biomedical research (Undersea Biomed Res) Vol. 9 Issue 1 Pg. 75-80 (Mar 1982) ISSN: 0093-5387 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7090084 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Topics

• Atmospheric Pressure
• Brain Diseases (therapy)
• Embolism, Air (therapy)
• Humans
• Hyperbaric Oxygenation
• Male
• Middle Aged