Endovascular Vein Harvest: Systemic Carbon Dioxide Absorption

Complications of CO2 insufflation during endoscopic vein harvesting

Over the past few decades, the use of endoscopic harvest of the saphenous vein has gained popularity due to a significant reduction in rates of wound infection and improved cosmesis. The widespread adoption of this technique has introduced a set of complications associated with the use CO₂ insufflation which facilitates exposure during the vein harvest. We describe a case of pneumoperitoneum with systemic acidosis and subcutaneous air following endoscopic vein harvest for coronary artery bypass grafting and review the complications that may arise from CO₂ insufflation during endoscopic vein harvesting.

Randomized Study Comparing the Effect of Carbon Dioxide Insufflation on Veins Using 2 Types of Endoscopic and Open Vein Harvesting

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to assess whether the use of carbon dioxide insufflation has any impact on integrity of long saphenous vein comparing 2 types of endoscopic vein harvesting and traditional open vein harvesting.

METHODS

A total of 301 patients were prospectively randomized into 3 groups. Group 1 control arm of open vein harvesting (n = 101), group 2 closed tunnel (carbon dioxide) endoscopic vein harvesting (n = 100) and Group 3 open tunnel (carbon dioxide) endoscopic vein harvesting (open tunnel endoscopic vein harvesting) (n = 100). Each group was assessed to determine the systemic level of partial arterial carbon dioxide, end-tidal carbon dioxide, and pH. Three blood samples were obtained at baseline, 10 minutes after start of endoscopic vein harvesting, and 10 minutes after the vein was retrieved. Vein samples were taken immediately after vein harvesting without further surgical handling to measure the histological level of endothelial damage. A modified validated endothelial scoring system was used to compare the extent of endothelial stretching and detachment.

RESULTS

The level of end-tidal carbon dioxide was maintained in the open tunnel endoscopic vein harvesting and open vein harvesting groups but increased significantly in the closed tunnel endoscopic vein harvesting group (P = 0.451, P = 0.385, and P < 0.001). Interestingly, partial arterial carbon dioxide also did not differ over time in the open tunnel endoscopic vein harvesting group (P = 0.241), whereas partial arterial carbon dioxide reduced significantly over time in the open vein harvesting group (P = 0.001). A profound increase in partial arterial carbon dioxide was observed in the closed tunnel endoscopic vein harvesting group (P < 0.001). Consistent with these patterns, only the closed tunnel endoscopic vein harvesting group demonstrated a sudden drop in pH over time (P < 0.001), whereas pH remained stable for both open tunnel endoscopic vein harvesting and open vein harvesting groups (P = 0.105 and P = 0.869, respectively). Endothelial integrity was better preserved in the open vein harvesting group compared with open tunnel endoscopic vein harvesting or closed tunnel endoscopic vein harvesting groups (P = 0.012) and was not affected by changes in carbon dioxide or low pH. Significantly greater stretching of the endothelium was observed in the open tunnel endoscopic open tunnel endoscopic vein harvesting group compared with the other groups (P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that the different vein harvesting techniques impact on endothelial integrity; however, this does not seem to be related to the increase in systemic absorption of carbon dioxide or to the pressurized endoscopic tunnel. The open tunnel endoscopic harvesting technique vein had more endothelial stretching compared with the closed tunnel endoscopic technique; this may be due to manual dissection of the vein. Further research is required to evaluate the long-term clinical outcome of these vein grafts.

The Auscultation of a Carbon Dioxide Embolization Event during Endoscopic Vein Harvest

Endoscopic vein harvest in preparation for coronary artery bypass surgery has become a preferred method of procuring saphenous vein. Several case reports have documented carbon dioxide (CO₂) embolization with this procedure as well as CO₂ embolization during other laparoscopic surgeries (Markar et al., 2010). Although uncommon, the potential for CO₂ entrainment through an open vein or through absorption by vascular structures exists and should be recognized (Lin et al., 2003). We report a case of CO₂ embolization during EVH for a 77-year-old patient who underwent CABG that was identified early by the cardiac surgeon through the indirect auscultation of a mill-wheel murmur after the pericardium was opened. This may be the first reported case of a murmur related to air emboli identified without the use of a precordial Doppler probe or a stethoscope. This diagnosis was further supported by TEE before systemic hypotension or cardiovascular collapse occurred.

Haemodynamic effects during endoscopic vein harvest of the saphenous vein for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery

OBJECTIVE

Endoscopic vein harvest (EVH) for coronary artery bypass grafting surgery is performed with carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation for visualization and dissection. The insufflated CO2 is rapidly absorbed into the body and may influence haemodynamics. However, the haemodynamic changes during EVH have not been clearly defined. This study evaluated the haemodynamic effects during EVH of the saphenous vein for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (OPCAB).

METHODS

After fixing the position for harvesting of the left internal mammary artery, EVH of the saphenous vein was performed at a maximum CO2 pressure of 12 mmHg and a flow of 3 l/min. The haemodynamic parameters were measured before and just after the end of endoscopic vein harvest.

RESULTS

One hundred patients were studied. The end-tidal CO2 pressure (P(ET)CO2, 35.0 +/- 2.7 vs. 52.0 +/- 6.2 mmHg), partial pressure of arterial CO2 (PaCO2, 35.1 +/- 3.1 vs. 52.5 +/- 4.3 mmHg), mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2, 75.6 +/- 4.1 vs. 82.0 +/- 1.6%), cardiac index (2.7 +/- 0.6 vs. 3.3 +/- 0.6 l/min/m2), and cerebral oxygen saturation (ScO2, left: 63.5 +/- 7.9 vs. 73.3 +/- 8.4; right: 62.2 +/- 8.0 vs. 72.3 +/- 6.3%) differed significantly between before and after CO2 insufflation, whereas mean systemic blood pressure, mean pulmonary artery blood pressure, central venous pressure, heart rate, partial pressure of arterial oxygen, and peak inspiratory pressure did not differ significantly between before and after CO2 insufflation.

CONCLUSIONS

EVH, at a maximum CO2 pressure of 12 mmHg and a flow of 3 l/min, of the saphenous vein for OPCAB was associated with hypercarbia and a tolerable range of hypercarbia (PaCO2 < 60 mmHg) increased the cardiac index and ScO2 without any complications.