Successful treatment of accidental air embolism in warm heart surgery.
Normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass has recently been proposed as a superior technique for maintaining body metabolism. However, its use remains controversial since the degree of cerebral protection provided might be inferior to that conferred by conventional hypothermic techniques. We report a case of accidental massive air embolism during coronary artery bypass surgery under normothermia, which was successfully managed with induced hypothermia at 20 degrees C and retrograde cerebral perfusion.
Gomes
Walter J
WJ
Bristol Heart Institute, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. wjgomes.dcir@epm.br
Strisiver
David A
DA
Penco
Albert J F
AJ
Rampersad
Kamal
K
Angelini
Gianni D
GD
D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010477:Perfusion / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome