Gaseous Microemboli during Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Gaseous microemboli (GME) are major source of ‘invisible’ problems after cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Although, major improvements have been made over the last decade to reduce GME generation by improving CPB equipment and perfusion techniques, many issue remain. Some of those issues are due to inexperience, while others are due to lack of reliable peri-operative measuring devices. The understanding and avoidance of GME should be just as important as understanding and avoidance of hemodilution and macro air emboli.