Issue |
J Extra Corpor Technol
Volume 26, Number 1, March 1994
|
|
---|---|---|
Page(s) | 6 - 12 | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/ject/19942616 | |
Published online | 21 August 2023 |
Original Article
Gross Air Handling Characteristics of Membrane Oxygenators: An In Vitro Study
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
* Address correspondence to: Pat H. Courtney Jr., CCP, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216
The goal of this study was to quantitate gross air handling characteristics of membrane oxygenators. Three oxygenator designs were tested: 1) flat plate, 2) blood-inside hollow fiber, and 3) blood-outside hollow fiber. Neither filters nor bubble traps were utilized in the test circuit; however, the purge line remained open during testing. The priming solution was Plasmalyte and expired human blood. The total circuit volume was 1000 ml with a resulting hematocrit of 23-25%. Tested blood flow range was 1-5 L/min and tested temperatures were 25°, 30° and 37°C. Tests were performed with oxygenator gas flow either on or off. Air boluses were introduced and counted by a micro bubble detector. In this study, all six oxygenators allowed macro air bubbles to pass through at flow rates of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 L/min. The distribution of non-visual micro bubble numbers and sizes varied with the flow rates and size of introduced air boluses. High flow rates (3-5 L/min) and 10-30 ml air boluses produced larger (81-160 μm) micro bubbles and low flow rates (1-2 L/min) and 5 ml air boluses produced smaller (1-80 μm) micro bubbles. This study shows that while membrane oxygenators may moderate, they cannot eliminate micro bubbles. Therefore, membrane oxygenators do not eliminate the risks of air during during cardiopulmonary bypass. The results suggest that arterial filters/bubble traps should be used in cardiopulmonary bypass circuits with membrane oxygenators.
Key words: membrane oxygenator / micro air emboli / removal air emboli / gaseous emboli
© 1994 AMSECT
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