Management of massive air embolism during open-heart surgery with retrograde perfusion of the cerebral vessels and hyperbaric oxygenation.
Retrograde perfusion through the superior vena cava was used in 2 patients who were injured by massive air embolism occurring during open-heart surgery. They underwent hyperbaric treatment immediately following completion of the intracardiac repair. Both patients made complete recovery and were discharged, with no defects attributable to the incident.
D000328:Adult; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D002542:Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010477:Perfusion