Air Lock and Embolism upon Attempted Initiation of Cardiopulmonary Bypass While using Vacuum-Assisted Venous Drainage

VACUUM-ASSISTED VENOUS DRAINAGE (VAVD) for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) improves venous drainage via small cannulae. Complications specific to VAVD are important to anticipate and recognize. A case of air lock and air embolus upon initiation of CPB caused by over-pressurization of the venous catheter is described. A description of indications and potential complications of VAVD is presented.