The influence of gaseous microemboli on various biomarkers after minimized cardiopulmonary bypass.

Introduction: Gaseous microemboli that originate from the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit may contribute to adverse outcome after cardiac surgery. We prospectively evaluated the influence of gaseous microemboli on the release of various biomarkers after use of a minimally invasive extracorporeal technology system.

Methods: In 70 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with minimized cardiopulmonary bypass, gaseous microemboli were measured intraoperatively with a bubble counter.

Optical verification and in-vitro characterization of two commercially available acoustic bubble counters for cardiopulmonary bypass systems.

Introduction: Gaseous microemboli (GME) introduced during cardiac surgery are considered as a potential source of morbidity, which has driven the development of the first bubble counters. Two new generation bubble counters, introduced in the early 2000s, claim correct sizing and counting of GME. This in-vitro study aims to validate the accuracy of two bubble counters using monodisperse bubbles in a highly controlled setting at low GME concentrations.

Carbon Dioxide Flush of an Integrated Minimized Perfusion Circuit Prior to Priming Prevents Spontaneous Air Release Into the Arterial Line During Clinical Use.

Recently, an oxygenator with an integrated centrifugal blood pump (IP) was designed to minimize priming volume and to reduce blood foreign surface contact even further. The use of this oxygenator with or without integrated arterial filter was compared with a conventional oxygenator and nonintegrated centrifugal pump. To compare the air removal characteristics 60 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were alternately assigned into one of three groups to be perfused with a minimized extracorporeal circuit either with the conventional oxygenator, the oxygenator with IP, or the oxygenator with IP plus integrated arterial filter (IAF).

Clinical evaluation of the air-handling properties of contemporary oxygenators with integrated arterial filter.

Gaseous microemboli (GME) may originate from the extracorporeal circuit and enter the arterial circulation of the patient. GME are thought to contribute to cerebral deficit and to adverse outcome after cardiac surgery. The arterial filter is a specially designed component for removing both gaseous and solid microemboli.

Effect of Oxygenator Size on Air Removal Characteristics: A Clinical Evaluation.

During cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), gaseous microemboli (GME) are released into the patients' arterial bloodstream. Gaseous microemboli may contribute to the adverse outcome after cardiac surgery. Recently, two oxygenator models with or without integrated arterial filter (IAF) were designed and only differ in size, leading to a change of 20% in surface area of the hollow fibers and 25% in blood velocities.