Comparative spallation performance of silicone versus Tygon extracorporeal circulation tubing.

Objectives: Reports ranged from mixed to marginal tubing wear and spallation effects as a complication of roller pumps in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Because the rollers constantly compress part of the tubing, we sought to determine whether circuit materials behave differently under a 3-h simulation of CPB.

Methods: Two different tubing materials (silicone and Tygon) were tested with a customized experimental circuit, designed to allow in vitro simulation of CPB with priming volumes, pressures, revolutions per minute and temperatures equivalent to the clinical scenario.

Technical adjunct for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in patient with renal transplant.

One of the most discussed issues in abdominal aortic surgery in kidney-transplanted patients is represented by organ protection during aortic cross-clamping. We report the case of a kidney-transplanted woman who underwent surgical correction for an abdominal aortic aneurysm after she refused any endovascular approach. To maintain kidney perfusion, during surgical aortic reconstruction, a biopump was chosen.