Intra-ocular pressure levels during extracorporeal circulation in man

Intra-ocular pressure, arterial blood pressure and central venous pressure were recorded before, during and after open-heart surgery in 12 patients. In contrast to previous findings by others, no increase in intra-ocular pressure was observed during the perfusion period. The discrepancy may be explained by differences in composition of the priming solution and the degree of haemodilution during perfusion. Attention should be paid to any sudden increase in central venous pressure after the end of extracorporeal circulation, as this may produce a corresponding increase in intracranial pressure.