title: Fatal air embolism during cardiopulmonary bypass: analysis of an incident and prevention measures.
abstract: Air embolism is a life-threatening complication during cardiopulmonary bypass. We present a case of a patient who suffered an air embolism during coronary bypass surgery, despite standard safety features and procedures. The patient died 3 days after surgery due to massive cerebral oedema. This case report gives a reconstruction of the event and the countermeasures undertaken to minimize the risk of recurrence.
authors.affiliation: University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands m.p.van.der.zee@UMCG.nl.
authors.forename: Michiel P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: van der Zee
authors.affiliation: University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Bart M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Koene
authors.affiliation: University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Massimo A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mariani
mesh_terms: D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
keywords: Cardiopulmonary bypass; Great vessels; Thoracic aorta