Transesophageal Echocardiographic Diagnosis of Carbon Dioxide Embolism During Minimally Invasive Saphenous Vein Harvesting and Treatment with Inhaled Epoprostenol

Abstract

We describe a patient scheduled for coronary artery bypass who developed carbon dioxide (CO2) embolism with acute pulmonary hypertension during endoscopic saphenectomy. Transesophageal echocardiography was useful in the diagnosis of CO2 embolism and to assess response to inhaled epoprostenol.