Petechial and subcutaneous hemorrhage with blister formations in right upper extremity during cardiopulmonary bypass by axillary artery cannulation

Abstract

A 72-year-old man underwent aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass graft using cardiopulmonary bypass with right axillary artery cannulation. After undraping, petechial and subcutaneous hemorrhage with blister formations were found in right upper extremity. Axillary artery cannula was considered to compress right subclavian and disturb venous return in the right subclavian vein, which caused an acute compartment syndrome during cardiopulmary bypass. This case was a rare,but severe complication of cardiopulmonary bypass with right axillary artery cannulation.