title: Retrograde cerebral perfusion and delayed hyperbaric oxygen for massive air embolism during cardiac surgery.
abstract: We report a case of massive air embolism from a ventricular vent line during cardiac surgery successfully treated with emergent retrograde cerebral perfusion and delayed hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The etiologies of this rare but potentially devastating complication are discussed along with prevention and treatment options.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, USA. sloaneguy@gmail.com
authors.forename: T Sloane
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Guy
authors.forename: Matthew P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cason
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tseng
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000601:surgery*; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D008297:Male; D010477:Perfusion; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome