Successful treatment of accidental air embolism in warm heart surgery.

Abstract

Normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass has recently been proposed as a superior technique for maintaining body metabolism. However, its use remains controversial since the degree of cerebral protection provided might be inferior to that conferred by conventional hypothermic techniques. We report a case of accidental massive air embolism during coronary artery bypass surgery under normothermia, which was successfully managed with induced hypothermia at 20 degrees C and retrograde cerebral perfusion.

• Authors: Walter J Gomes, David A Strisiver, Albert J F Penco, Kamal Rampersad, Gianni D Angelini
• Journal: Asian cardiovascular & thoracic annals (Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann) Vol. 11 Issue 1 Pg. 68-9 (Mar 2003) ISSN: 0218-4923 [Print] England
• PMID: 12692027 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Brain Ischemia (etiology, therapy)
• Cerebrovascular Circulation
• Coronary Artery Bypass (adverse effects)
• Embolism, Air (etiology, therapy)
• Humans
• Hypothermia, Induced
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Perfusion (methods)
• Treatment Outcome