Introduction

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Disclaimer

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Question 1

Figure 1

What is your diagnosis?

Question 2

On which side (right or left) should you measure the radial arterial blood pressure during thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair ?

Question 3

Figure 2

What kind of cardiac arrhythmia is recorded on the ECG?

Answer 1

A subcutaneous emphysema

Answer 2

The right radial arterial blood pressure should be measured. If the aortic aneurysm begins at the left subclavian artery, this vessel might be included in the aortic clamp and reconnected separately into the new aortic graft. Therefore, the left radial artery pressure might not be measurable for a while. Some would measure both, right and left radial pressures to visualize circulation in both arms.

Answer 3

The diagnosis is: A third degree AV-block