Case Report

Utilization of the Bentley BOS-CM50 Capillary Fiber Membrane Oxygenator with a Bio-Medicus Pump for Long-Term Right Ventricular Assist: A Case Report

West Jefferson General Hospital, Marrero, LA

^* Direct communications to: Ann Marie Chrostowski, C.P., Medical Specialties Building, 4520 Wichers Drive, Suite 203, Marrero, LA 70072

Abstract

Following six vessel coronary artery bypass surgery, a 67-year-old man developed acute hypoxia and severe pulmonary hypertension secondary to a protamine reaction. Right ventricular bypass with oxygenation was required using a Bio-Medicus pump and Bentley BOS-CM50 capillary fiber membrane oxygenator. This helped to lower the pulmonary artery pressure from 36 mmHg to 9 mmHg. Arterial blood gases were maintained with a pH of 7.35-7.50, pCO₂ 30-40 mmHg, and PO₂ 60-200 mmHg, and activated clotting times (ACT) were kept above 480 seconds. The oxygenator was used for 14 hours without complications and removed from the circuit when the patient's mean pulmonary artery pressures were kept below 20 mmHg, and pO_2s above 60 mmHg with the patient supported on the ventilator. The patient was subsequently weaned off right ventricular bypass after 66 hours of support.

The Bentley CM50 capillary fiber membrane oxygenator was safely used for 14 hours, which was associated with a reduction in pulmonary hypertension in a patient recovering from a protamine reaction.