Ventricular fibrillation during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: Transcranial Doppler and clinical findings

A 73-year-old male developed ventricular fibrillation which lasted for 2 mi n and 24 s, during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Cerebral hemod ynamics were assessed by continuous transcranial Doppler monitoring. Ventri cular fibrillation resulted in an immediate fall in cerebral blood flow vel ocities to almost zero with only slight fluctuations. This was then followe d by a pronounced reactive hyperperfusion. Cerebral magnetic resonance imag ing examinations and detailed neurological and neuropsychological evaluatio ns were performed before and at 3 and 12 months after surgery. No evidence of cerebral damage was found. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.