Cerebral Disorders after Open-Heart Operations

Abstract

ALTHOUGH development of the extracorporeal pump oxygenator has permitted rapid advances in cardiac surgery it has exposed the central nervous system to injury from a variety of agents despite the use of hypothermia to decrease its metabolic demands. The hazard of arterial air embolism has been reduced by refinement of oxygenators,1 2 3 4 but air emboli remain a threat, usually from trapping of air in the left ventricle at the termination of the operative procedure, despite careful evacuation and replacement with absorbable gases.5,6 Improperly designed coronary-suction devices may also be a source of air embolism.7 Embolization of silicone material from antifoam . . .