Comparison between transcranial Doppler and coulter counter for detection of lipid micro embolization from mediastinal shed blood reinfusion during cardiac surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Lipid micro embolization (LME) from re-transfused shed blood has been postulated to be a potential reason for short- and long-term cognitive dysfunction after cardiac surgery. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate if transcranial Doppler (TCD) has the capacity to detect LME. METHODS: Thirteen patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery were investigated. Each patient's cerebral circulation was monitored with transcranial Doppler during the first two minutes after re-transfusion of shed blood and blood was simultaneously sampled and characterised by a Coulter counter. RESULTS: Strong correlation was found between embolic loads, as measured by transcranial Doppler and Coulter counter (r=0.79, P<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study shows that non-invasive monitoring by transcranial Doppler could be a potential tool to monitor LME during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.