Massive air embolism resulting in ischemic stroke after left ventricular assist device implantation. Issue 11 (23rd August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bansal, Aditya; Akhtar, Faisal; Zwintscher, Nathan P.; Bansal, Arnav; Verma, Arjun; Sabharwal, Vivek
• Is Part Of: Journal of cardiac surgery. Volume 34:Issue 11(2019)
• Page Start: 1393
• Page End: 1395
• Publication Date: 2019-08-23
• Subjects: air embolism -- complications -- heart failure -- LVAD -- MCS therapy -- stroke; Heart -- Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.412005
• DOI: 10.1111/jocs.14222
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0886-0440

Abstract

Abstract: We present the first case of ischemic stroke secondary to massive air embolus during implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). The patient experienced a suction event at the time of aortic cannula removal. Despite the use of all standard deairing techniques and flooding the operative field with continuous‐flow carbon dioxide, a significant amount of air was delivered into the ascending aorta through the LVAD pump.