Balloon pump-induced pulsatile perfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass does not improve brain oxygenation.
BACKGROUND
Whether pulsatile flow offers substantial advantages for brain protection during cardiopulmonary bypass is controversial. The purpose of this study is to determine whether differences exist between pulsatile and nonpulsatile bypass concerning the effects on internal jugular venous saturation and on the state of regional cerebral oxygenation during normothermia.


METHODS
Twenty-two patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly divided into 2 groups: group 1 (n = 11) received nonpulsatile perfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass and group 2 (n = 11) received pulsatile perfusion during bypass. We used an intra-aortic balloon pump to generate pulsatility. A spectrophotometric probe (INVOS 3100R, Somanetics, Troy, Mich) was used to assess the state of regional cerebral oxygenation. A 4F fiberoptic oximetry oxygen saturation catheter was inserted into the right jugular bulb to monitor jugular venous oxygen saturation. Hemodynamic variables, arterial and jugular venous blood gases, and regional cerebral oxygenation were measured at 7 times points.


RESULTS
In both groups, jugular venous oxygen saturation decreased at the early stage of the cardiopulmonary bypass (P =.03). Five patients in group 1 and 6 in group 2 had a jugular venous oxygen saturation of less than 50%. In both groups, the regional cerebral oxygenation value decreased during cardiopulmonary bypass (P =.04).


CONCLUSIONS
The present results showed that pulsatility generated through the use of intra-aortic balloon pumping did not produce any beneficial effects on jugular venous oxygen saturation and regional cerebral oxygenation at normothermia.
Kawahara
F
F
Department of Anesthesiology, Gunma University School of Medicine, Gunma, Japan.
Kadoi
Y
Y
Saito
S
S
Yoshikawa
D
D
Goto
F
F
Fujita
N
N
D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007423:Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010092:Oximetry; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D016896:Treatment Outcome