Massive systemic air embolism during off-pump coronary artery surgery

Abstract

In OPCAB (off-pump coronary artery bypass) operations, development of cardiac arrest during the distal anastomosis to obtuse marginal coronary artery leads to significantly low blood pressure in the ascending aorta. Therefore, blowing of compressed air in high flow on not-slinged coronary artery may cause air mobilization from the coronary artery system into the ascending aorta that may result in severe brain damage.