[A method for preventing an air embolism in repeat operations on the heart with artificial circulation without...

An effective method has been developed for prevention of air embolism in cardiopulmonary bypass surgery on the open heart without heart isolation from intergrown tissues. The method consists in filling and washing heart cavities with carbon dioxide before removing the clamps from the aorta. This method does not involve routine prophylactic measures such as heart dislocation and puncture of left-ventricular apex, heart ventricles massage to remove air, etc. Operation without heart isolation from intergrown tissues helps markedly reduce blood loss, make the operation less traumatic and shorter.