Simplified etrograde systemic perfusion for removal of air from the aorta in an infant

Total circulatory arrest with full venous drainage can result in air enteri ng the arterial system through several possible sites such as the aortic ca nnulation site or collateral vessels. Air present in the arterial system du ring total circulatory arrest imposes a special problem. We describe a simp le technique of short-term retrograde systemic perfusion to remove air from the arterial system before restarting systemic arterial perfusion after to tal circulatory arrest.