Original Article

Carbon Dioxide Field Flooding: A Retrospective Study

JFK Medical Center, Atlantis, Florida

^* Address corredpondence to: Andrew Frados, MS, CCP, RE, BSM, 1081 Fairfax Circle West, Boynton Beach, Florida 33436. E-mail: AFrados@msn.com

Received: 12 October 2000
Accepted: 2 February 2001

Abstract

The carbon dioxide surgical field flooding technique has long been tried with varying degrees of success. A recent revival of the technique that began over 40 years ago in cardiac surgery, has brought promise as well as improved results attributable to improved technology. Studies at JFK Medical Center have been very successful using the carbon dioxide surgical fieldflooding technique. Establishing new guidelines will assist other institutions in attempting this “old” technique with renewed success. Modern, more efficient equipment make use of carbon dioxide to displace intracardiac gases a safe procedure. The carbon dioxide field-flooding technique is safer, easier, and more efficacious than traditional de-airing techniques. This study shows that a long-standing procedure is valuable by observing the results, and, retrospectively evaluating stroke rates among cardiac valve cases at the hospital.