title: Hyperbaric treatment of cerebral air embolism sustained during an open-heart surgical procedure.
abstract: A case of cerebral air embolism sustained during replacement of the mitral valve resulted in postoperative coma and seizures. Hyperbaric treatment, begun 30 hours after the occurrence of the air embolism, resulted in good immediate and long-term recovery. Mild deficits of the left hemisphere were present at follow-up 53 days after the embolus was sustained, and lesser, minimal residua were present at 14-month follow-up. Hyperbaric treatment is the definitive therapy for cerebral air embolism. Although it is most effective when administered early, the outcome may be excellent even with late treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Armon
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Deschamps
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Adkinson
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Fealey
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Orszulak
mesh_terms: D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D002542:Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors