RETAINED INTRACARDIAC AIR IN OPEN-HEART OPERATIONS EXAMINED BY TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

Using transesophageal echocardiography during open heart operations, w e found another form of retained intracardiac air, ''pooled air,'' in addition to the form of ''bubbles'' that had been reported by other au thors. The pooled air was detected in all of 13 patients (100%); it wa s located at the right upper pulmonary vein in 13 (100%), left ventric ular apex in 9 (69.2%), left atrium in 8 (61.5%), right coronary sinus of Valsalva in 8 (61.5%), left atrial appendage in 4 (30.8%), and lef t upper pulmonary vein in 3 (23.1%). The pooled air was found also in the pulmonary artery in 6 of 8 patients (75.0%) in whom the pulmonary artery was clearly visualized. In 1 patient, 5 mL of air was aspirated from the left ventricular apex, followed by a reduced size of the air on the transesophageal echocardiographic image. Because intracardiac air rapidly changes its locations and appearances, continuous monitori ng is important, especially at weaning from bypass. The long-axis view of the heart is useful not only for detecting and locating the air, b ut also for guiding and evaluating the procedures to remove air.