THIGH ISCHEMIA COMPLICATING FEMORAL VESSEL CANNULATION FOR CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS

Compartment syndrome of the lower leg is an occasional complication of prolonged ischemia and reperfusion. Compartment syndrome of the thigh is a less well-recognized complication. We present 2 patients with co mpartment syndrome of the ipsilateral thigh after femoral arterial and venous cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass. Early diagnosis and ur gent decompressive fasciotomy may limit the extent of local tissue dam age and subsequent myonephropathic syndrome.