title: Percutaneous cardiopulmonary support to treat suspected venous air embolism with cardiac arrest during open eye surgery: a case report.
abstract: We report a case of possible venous air embolism (VAE) during trans pars plana vitrectomy with air-fluid exchange of the vitreous cavity. Shortly after initiation of air-fluid exchange, decreases in end-tidal CO2, oxygen saturation, and blood pressure were observed. The patient rapidly progressed to cardiac arrest unresponsive to cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and recovered after the application of percutaneous cardiopulmonary support. Prompt termination of air infusion is needed when VAE is suspected during air-fluid exchange, and extracorporeal life support should be considered in fatal cases. Although the incidence is rare the possibility of VAE during ophthalmic surgery clearly exists, and therefore awareness and vigilant monitoring seem critical.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea. ; Anesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seokyung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Bokyung
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea. ; Anesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Soh
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea. ; Anesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Bon-Nyeo
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Koo
keywords: Air embolism; Ophthalmologic surgical procedures