SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF MASSIVE AIR-EMBOLISM

Closure of a persistent ductus arteriosus through a median sternotomy on cardioplumonary bypass in a 24-year-old man resulted in a tear of t he descending aorta below the ductus. The repair of the aortic injury was attempted with deep hypothermia and low arterial flow, which resul ted in massive air embolism of the aorta, the central arteries, and th e arterial line. Air was expelled by reverse and perfusion by connecti ng the arterial line to the venous cannula in the superior vena cava. The patient was discharged from the hospital without neurological cons equences.