Abstract: A method and apparatus used during cardiac surgery for reducing release of embolized air and particulate matter into general body circulatory system are disclosed. The method uses a catheter apparatus having an inflation lumen, an occlusive balloon, a suction lumen and a perfusion lumen. The catheter is inserted or navigated to into an aortic root and positioned so a suction opening communicates upstream of the aortic root and a perfusion opening communicates downstream of the suction opening. The patient's heart is stopped and the occlusive balloon is inflated to occlude the aorta. Cardiac surgery is performed and when the patient's heart is restarted the blood pumped by the heart during its first few contractions is suctioned through the suction opening. This initial blood pumped by the heart often contains embolized air and particulate matter which can cause a stroke or subtle cognitive changes if allowed to enter the general circulatory system.