Original Article

Use of an Extracorporeal Circulation Workstation During the Routine Care of Cardiac Patients

Hospital St. Joseph, Paris, France

^* Address correspondence to: D. Gaillard, MD, Hospital Saint Joseph, 7 rue Pierre Larousse, 75014, Paris, France.

Abstract

In this presentation, we present a computerized system which acquires, stores and processes all parameters currently measured during heart surgery.

The aim of this computerized system is based on:

• continuous acquisition and processing of patient and ECC data

• user adaptability of the system to his or her requirements

• user-friendliness

• adaptability to all operating theater equipment.

The hardware includes an IBM PS/2, with a color screen and an HP laser printer.

This computer can receive seven different monitors. The incoming values are displayed either instantaneously or as averages. The results can be displayed either in color graphic form and updated automatically, or in tables.

All parameters commonly measured in the operating room at present can be recorded by the software; for example, all arterial and venous pressures, venous and arterial saturation, five different temperatures, cardiac output, ST segment level, pump flow rate, arterial and venous blood gases in continuous with CDI 300.

With any parameters, computed data, such as vascular resistances, O₂ consumption are also obtained on a continuous basis.

It is a powerful instrument, not only for the whole surgical team because of its multiple personalization and interfacing capability, but also for use in research.