Aortic cannula tip dislodgement: A rare complication

Abstract

Cardiac surgery involves use of cardiopulmonary bypass which usually requires a circulatory circuit containing numerous cannulae and tubings draining from major vessels (like superior and inferior vena cavae) and returning it back to the systemic circulation (via the aorta, femoral artery, axillary artery etc). Establishment of this circuit not only requires good surgical skills for technical procedures but also requires stringent vigilance and awareness about the working of these disposable items. Surgeons concentrating in the technical aspect might miss out on the minor manufacturing defects in these disposable items and anesthesiologist as well as perfusionist can contribute in this aspect by including systematic precheck of these items to avoid complications in future. In this case report, we would like to discuss a simple case of mitral valve replacement where during aortic decannulation the metallic tip got dislodged and thus got migrated to the abdominal aorta. This is a rare complication which none of us were expecting. By prechecking the various components of the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit, this complication was expected to be avoided.

Central Aortic Cannula Disruption Following Left Atrial Myxoma Excision

“…This may lead to a considerable size change, causing the cannula tip to loosen from the tubings and its possible disconnection. However, in the rare possibility of this occurrence, it is less likely to be one of the causes of the same [ 2 ]. We feel the poor attachment of the metal tip with the body during manufacturing was the possible cause of complication in our case.…”

“…Surgeons and perfusionists should always be alert to catch up on minor manufacturing defects in these disposable items. They can ensure safety by including these items through precheck to avoid complications during operative procedures [ 2 ].…”

Recurrent cardiac arrests due to severe aortic flow obstruction by aortic cannula: a fatal complication

“…1 Conversely, the aortic cannulation can cause complications like aortic dissection, aortic rupture, profuse bleeding and dislodgement of aortic atheroma resulting in systemic embolization. 2 We reported a rarer consequence of aortic cannulation, as a severe aortic blood flow obstruction resulting in recurrent episodes of the cardiac arrests in a child after successful VSD repair under CPB. upper respiratory tract infection and easy fatiguability with decreased activity for the last three months of age.…”