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Case reports

Massive systemic air embolism during off-pump coronary artery surgery

University of Suleyman Demirel, Cardiovascular Surgery Department, Isparta, Turkey

Received 8 August 2008; received in revised form 19 September 2008; accepted 6 October 2008.

^_* Corresponding author. Address: Yazanlar Sokak 31/11, Asagi Ayranci, Ankara, Turkey. Tel.: +90 312 468 1773; fax: +90 312 4681774. (Email: erkanece2000{at}yahoo.com).

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.

Key Words: Air embolism • Off-pump surgery • Coronary bypass

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