Management of massive air embolism during open heart surgery.
Two patients in whom a massive bolus of air was introduced into the arterial circuit and ascending aorta during valve replacement and in whom the recovery was complete are presented. The technical details of the management of this serious accident are described.
D000328:Adult; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000601:surgery; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005112:Extracorporeal Circulation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery; D008946:Mitral Valve Stenosis / Q000601:surgery