Successful treatment of massive arterial air embolism during open heart surgery

Authors
Huber, S Rigler, B Machler, HE Metzler, H Smolle-Juttner, FM
Citation
S. Huber et al., Successful treatment of massive arterial air embolism during open heart surgery, ANN THORAC, 69(3), 2000, pp. 931-933
Citations number
6
Categorie Soggetti
Cardiovascular & Respiratory Systems","Medical Research Diagnosis & Treatment
Journal title
ANNALS OF THORACIC SURGERY
ISSN journal
00034975 → ACNP
Volume
69
Issue
3
Year of publication
2000
Pages
931 - 933
Database
ISI
SICI code
0003-4975(200003)69:3<931:STOMAA>2.0.ZU;2-0
Abstract
We report a case of a 5-year-old girl who suffered a massive arterial air e mbolism during surgical closure of an atrial septal defect. The risk of per manent neurologic deficits or even fatal outcome is significant (mortality rate, 31%). We successfully treated a proven arterial air embolism with int raoperative (retrograde cerebral perfusion) combined with postoperative pro cedures (deep barbiturate anesthesia and hyperbaric oxygenation). At discha rge the girl had fully recovered from the initial neurologic defects.