Gomes W J, Palma J H, Bertuccez J A, Sales T, Buffolo E
Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo.
Arq Bras Cardiol. 1993 Oct;61(4):237-9.
Air embolism during extracorporeal circulation is a life-threatening complication, requiring immediate response. During a recent case, brain damage was avoided using hypothermic retrograde cerebral perfusion, connecting the arterial line to superior vena cava cannula. Perfusion lasted 5 minutes at flow of 200ml/min. The patient had complete recovery and was discharged with normal neurologic status. The technique employed is described and steps for a face this accident are proposed.