Adult respiratory distress syndrome following closure of a chronic ventricular septal defect: possible relationship to the use of intracardiac gelatin-resorcin-formaldehyde glue.

ABSTRACT

Gelatin-resorcin-formaldehyde glue is now widely used in cardiac surgery, particularly in Europe. A case is reported where its use may have contributed to the pulmonary dysfunction seen postoperatively after elective closure of a postinfarct ventricular septal defect. It is believed that this is a result of a relatively high exposure of the pulmonary circulation to the glue, in particular to formalin. Although not proven, the authors advise caution when using the glue within the cardiac chambers.