Retrograde Cerebral Perfusion for Treatment of Air Embolism after Valve Surgery

Abstract

Air embolism occurred after termination of cardiopulmonary bypass in a 22-year-old man undergoing aortic valve replacement for rheumatic aortic insufficiency. Normothermic retrograde cerebral perfusion was instituted for 5 min at a flow rate of 300–500 mL·min−1, maintaining internal jugular vein pressure < 25 mmHg. The aortic cannula was declamped intermittently for 5–10 seconds. Mean arterial pressure was kept at 60–70 mmHg. The patient recovered without any neurological deficit.