Treatment of cerebral embolism in heart surgery.

Abstract

The results in the treatment of air embolism in open heart surgery are presented. Two cases of gaseous cerebral embolism are described. One of the patients had a period of unconsciousness of 54 hours, the other of 17 days. Therapy included administration of vasoactive drugs (xanthinol nicotinate 1500 mg 2 times daily as an intravenous drip) combined with superficial hypothermia (32 degrees C). In both cases complete recovery was achieved.