Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography
Volume 9, Issue 2 , Pages 182-186, March 1996

Transesophageal echocardiographic features and management of retained intracardiac air in two patients after surgery

  • A.Landon Wellford, MD

      Affiliations

    • From the Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiology, Houston, Texas, USA
    • the Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
    • the Echocardiography Laboratory, the Methodist Hospital. Houston, Texas, USA
    • ,
  • Gerald Lawrie, MD

      Affiliations

    • From the Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiology, Houston, Texas, USA
    • the Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
    • the Echocardiography Laboratory, the Methodist Hospital. Houston, Texas, USA
    • ,
  • William A. Zoghbi, MD

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: William A. Zoghbi, MD, Echocardiography Research, Baylor College of Medicine, the Methodist Hospital, 6550 Fannin, SM-677, Houston, TX 77030.
    • From the Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiology, Houston, Texas, USA
    • the Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
    • the Echocardiography Laboratory, the Methodist Hospital. Houston, Texas, USA

Abstract 

Intracardiac residual air after open-heart surgery may carry a significant risk of embolization with associated morbidity and death. We hereby report two cases of retained intracardiac air detected in an unusual location with transesophageal echocardiography in the superior aspect of the left atrium after completion of standard air-evacuation procedures. Characteristic echocardiographic features and the impact on immediate management are described along with a review of the literature.

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PII: S0894-7317(96)90026-7

Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography
Volume 9, Issue 2 , Pages 182-186, March 1996

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