Journal of the American College of Cardiology
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Oct 1985
Case ReportsAtrial level right to left intracardiac shunt associated with postoperative hypoxemia: demonstration with contrast two-dimensional echocardiography.
Transient hypoxemia is not uncommon after major cardiac or thoracic surgery. The differential diagnosis includes atelectasis, pulmonary embolus, pneumonitis, congestive heart failure and several other diverse cardiovascular and pulmonary problems. ⋯ Three cases of clinically important hypoxemia associated with right to left shunting after aortocoronary bypass surgery are presented. The right to left shunting was documented with contrast-enhanced echocardiography, which is a simple, inexpensive and accurate means of screening patients for intracardiac right to left shunts and may play a valuable role in the postoperative management of patients.