Transesophageal echocardiographic features and management of retained intracardiac air in two patients after surgery.
Intracardiac residual air after open-heart surgery may carry a significant risk of embolization with associated morbidity and death. We hereby report two cases of retained intracardiac air detected in an unusual location with transesophageal echocardiography in the superior aspect of the left atrium after completion of standard air-evacuation procedures. Characteristic echocardiographic features and the impact on immediate management are described along with a review of the literature.
Wellford
A L
AL
Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Lawrie
G
G
Zoghbi
W A
WA
D000368:Aged; D001011:Aorta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology