An Unusual Cause of Failure to Ventilate.

We report an unusual case of endotracheal tube failure. It was due to a manufacturing defect in the internal white plastic piece that is normally depressed by the luer-lock syringe within the blue pilot balloon. Prior to use, the endotracheal tube was tested and functioned normally. A 64-year-old patient in the intensive care unit with a history of hypertension was being mechanically ventilated after uneventful abdominal surgery. After several hours in the intensive care unit, he was noted to be suddenly no longer receiving adequate tidal volumes from the ventilator. It was found that the cuff on the endotracheal tube was not retaining air when it was filled with air from a syringe. This lead to a large "leak" around the endotracheal tube such that the intended tidal volumes set on the ventilator were not delivered to the patient. The patient was uneventfully reintubated and did well. Subsequent investigation revealed the cause to be a manufacturing defect in the internal white plastic piece that is normally depressed by the luer-lock syringe within the blue pilot balloon. Other mechanisms of cuff failure are reviewed in this case report. This case is an unusual reason for cuff failure. Illustrations supplied alert the reader how to identify the appearance of this manufacturing defect in a pilot balloon. This case illustrates the potential device malfunctions that can develop during a procedure, even when the equipment has been tested and previously functioned well. Even small defects developing in well-engineered products can lead to critical patient care emergencies.

Near-fatal kinking of mammary graft due to emphysematous lung disease.

Left internal mammary artery grafting is commonly used in elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery. We report a near-fatal case with graft kinking upon sternal closure due to distended, emphysematous lungs impinging on the mammary graft. After the sternum was closed, the patient suffered a severe hemodynamic deterioration. Surgical examination revealed kinking of his left internal mammary artery upon sternal closure due to distended, emphysematous lungs impinging on the mammary graft. Using an off-bypass technique, the kink in the mammary graft to the left anterior descending artery was removed by moving the origin of the left internal mammary artery to a hooded graft of a saphenous vein graft instead. In this position, the graft no longer was impinged upon by the distended emphysematous lungs. Subsequently, the patient's sternum was closed without hemodynamic impingement. Although chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is well described to increase complications in coronary artery bypass graft surgery, it has not been previously associated with the kinking of a left internal mammary artery. This report highlights another contribution that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can make to increased morbidity following coronary artery bypass graft surgery and alerts readers to watch for this complication in susceptible patients.

Increasing severity of aortic atherosclerosis in coronary artery bypass grafting patients evaluated by transesophageal echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerotic disease in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients is a potential contributor to complications in the perioperative periods. This study was undertaken to better define how the frequency of aortic atheromatous disease among patients coming for CABG has evolved over the last decade. METHODS: Data from elective patients coming for CABG who underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examinations following induction of anesthesia were obtained for the years 2002 and 2009. Aortas were graded according to the method of Kronzon, with the following interpretations: normal = grade I, intimal thickening = 2, atheroma of less than 5 mm = 3, atheroma of > 5 mm = 4, and any mobile atheroma = 5. The data of 124 patients who underwent comprehensive exam of the aorta by one cardiac anesthesiologist were gathered and assigned into two groups based on the year TEE was done. Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis. A P value < 0.05 was considered significant. The data were presented as mean ± SD. RESULTS: There was significant difference between group 2002 (2.05 ± 1.28) and group 2009 (2.59 ± 1.11) in atheroma grade (P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Patients coming for CABG in group 2009 exhibited significantly higher grades of aortic atheroma on TEE, compared to group 2002. Understanding the risk of atheroma in the elderly CABG population may help in altering surgical approaches to lessen the risk of catastrophic stroke. Potential options needing further study include the off-pump approach and modification of cross-clamp site and technique as well as other modalities.