Intraoperative, two-dimensional echocardiography-guided removal of retained intracardiac air.
The removal of intracardiac air after cardiotomy may be simplified with the use of two-dimensional echocardiography. This technique can be used to readily identify retained pockets of air and can function as a guide to needle aspiration of the ventricular chambers. With a valve prosthesis in place, de-airing can be accomplished with minimal displacement of the heart. The technique is easy to use and the images are simple to interpret.
D000388:Air; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D008943:Mitral Valve; D013396:Suction / Q000379:methods