Introducing the A-view endotracheal balloon in cardiac surgery: Guiding the surgeon

George Joh. Brandon Bravo Bruinsma 1, * and Arno Pieter Nierich 2

1 Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Patient Safety Officer, Isala Hospital, Zwolle, The Netherlands and Stroke2Prevent. Zwolle, The Netherlands.
2 Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologist-Intensivist, Isala Hospital, Zwolle, The Netherlands and Stroke2Prevent. Zwolle, The Netherlands
 
Short Communication
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 21(02), 1195–1198
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2024.21.2.0589
 
Publication history: 
Received on 12 January 2024; revised on 18 February 2024; accepted on 20 February 2024
 
Abstract: 
Stroke is serious modus for death following cardiac surgery. For twothird it is contributed to unloosend particles from atherosclerotic plaques in the ascending aorta ending up in the brain. Using regular trans esophageal echocardiogram (TEE) does not provide adequate information of the distal ascending aorta due to air in the trachea (‘Blind Spot’). The quality of the distal ascending aorta is of great importance to the cardiac surgeon as the aorta is maltreated by inserting a cannula for connection to the heart-lung machine and clamping to provide a bloodless operation field. The mission ahead is to improve real-time diagnostic information of the distal ascending aorta before opening the chest and providing the surgeon the opportunity to execute safe and reliable care. By replacing air in the trachea for the A-View saline filled endotracheal balloon, crucial information is obtained during TEE-imaging of the fully anesthetized cardiac patient. With this information at hand, the anesthesiologist may guide the surgeon to execute the best and safest operation.
 
Keywords: 
A-View; Brain injury; Stroke; Cardiac surgery; Imaging technique; Safety
 
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