[Pumpless extracorporeal lung assist].

The recently introduced pumpless extracorporeal lung assist (PECLA) is a remarkable alternative to the conventional extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in case of severe lung failure. By establishing a shunt between femoral artery and vein using the arterio-venous pressure gradient as a driving force through a low-resistance membrane oxygenator, PECLA provides highly effective gas-exchange by preserved cardiac function. Due to its closed system, reduced priming volume and low heparin demand, the unfavourable effects of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can be effectively diminished.

[The principles of minimal extracorporeal circulation and its uses].

The recently introduced minimal extracorporeal circulation system is a remarkable alternative to the conventional heart-lung machine in several cardiosurgical indications. It consists of a centrifugal pump, an oxygenator, a tip-to-tip heparin coated line set and a modified cell saver application. Due to its closed blood-air interaction-free construction and reduced priming volume, the unfavourable effects of perfusion as haemodilution, inflammatory response, locoregional malperfusion, transfusion needs, can be effectively reduced.