title: Seven-day artificial lung testing in an in-parallel configuration.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A thoracic artificial lung, the MC3 Biolung, is being developed as a bridge to lung transplantation or as a treatment for acute respiratory insufficiency.
  
  
  METHODS
  The thoracic artificial lung was tested in 10 sheep with the goal of 7 days of respiratory support. The sheep were recovered from surgery and monitored awake for 7 days. Hemodynamics, blood gases, blood cell counts, and organ function were recorded, and after 7 days, all sheep were euthanized and necropsied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven sheep survived the full duration. Cardiac output and mean arterial blood pressure were unchanged, averaging 4.7 +/- 0.8 L/min and 98 +/- 10 mm Hg, respectively. Arterial oxygen tension and device oxygen transfer rate were also unchanged, averaging 110 +/- 26 mm Hg and 97.7 +/- 35 mL/min, respectively. Arterial carbon dioxide tension was within normal ranges during the entire experiment, averaging 37.4 +/- 3.8 mm Hg. Artificial lung blood flow decreased from 51% +/- 14% of cardiac output on day 1 to 30% +/- 16% by day 7 because of changes in natural and artificial lung resistance. White blood cell counts were significantly elevated on days 5 and 7, and lastly, kidney and liver function remained normal, although signs of kidney infarction or hemorrhage were noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The thoracic artificial lung is suitable for 7-day attachment, but improvements in blood biocompatibility are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Grant W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Griffith
authors.forename: Candice M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Toomasian
authors.forename: Ronald B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Hirschl
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Bartlett
authors.forename: Keith E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Cook
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001187:Artificial Organs; D001777:Blood Coagulation; D001794:Blood Pressure; D006339:Heart Rate; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology; D007668:Kidney / Q000502:physiology; D008168:Lung; D012756:Sheep; D013997:Time Factors