Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  2003 Nov;36(11):834-838.

Arterio-Venous Line Connection for Effective Intracardiac Deairing after Open Heart Surgery

• Chung SW
• Kim JW
• Park JH

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Deairing from the heart after open heart surgery(cardiopulmonary bypass) is a very important procedure. Artificial arteriovenous fistula was used to remove air, and the efficiency was evaluated by transesophageal echocardiography. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Just before termination of cardiopulmonary bypass, a standard pressure transducer line is connected between the stopcocks of the connections in the arterial and venous circuits, creating a small controlled arteriovenous fistula between the arterial and venous cannulas. The degree of intracardiac air and air removal time were evaluated either by transesophageal echocardiography or direct vision of pressure transducer line. RESULT: By simple procedure, cardiopulmonary time was shortened and air clearing can be confirmed using echocardiography in a few minutes.
CONCLUSION
Creation of arteriovenous fistula using small connecting line between aortic and venous cannula is a very simple and effective method of deairing and preventing of air embolism after open heart surgery.

Keyword

Embolism, air; Embolism; Arteriovenous fistula; fistula

MeSH Terms

Arteriovenous Fistula
Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Catheters
Echocardiography
Echocardiography, Transesophageal
Embolism
Embolism, Air
Fistula
Heart*
Thoracic Surgery*
Transducers, Pressure