Management of massive air embolism during open-heart surgery with retrograde perfusion of the cerebral vessels and hyperbaric oxygenation.

Retrograde perfusion through the superior vena cava was used in 2 patients who were injured by massive air embolism occurring during open-heart surgery. They underwent hyperbaric treatment immediately following completion of the intracardiac repair. Both patients made complete recovery and were discharged, with no defects attributable to the incident.