Air embolism during off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery- A case report

Abstract

There have been several reports of gas embolism occurring during off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (OPCAB) surgery. However, all these cases of air embolism were associated with the repair of venous circulation, using a CO 2 blower. In this report, we describe a rare case of air embolism in the coronary arteries associated with the use of a CO 2 blower during OPCAB. There was no injury to the veins during OPCAB. The air embolism was treated successfully with cardiopulmonary bypass. © the Korean Society of Anesthesiologists, 2012.