An in vitro comparison of the ability of three commonly used pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass circuits to filter gaseous microemboli.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to compare the ability of three commonly used pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuits to filter gaseous microemboli (GME) in an in vitro model.


METHODS
Devices were tested at different levels of two specific independent variables: volume of air injected (1, 3, 5ml) and percentage of each oxygenator's rated flow (50%, 75%, 100%, 125%). The air-handling ability of each CPB circuit was determined by the Emboli Detection and Classification Quantifier (Luna Innovations Inc., Roanoke,VA).


RESULTS
At all tested conditions, the FX-05 allowed a higher percentage of GME when compared to either one or both of the other two CPB circuits. When comparing oxygenators at similar absolute flow rates, the KIDS D100/D130 CPB circuit performed worse compared to the other two CPB circuits.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of the Baby RX-05 oxygenator and Capiox AF02 arterial line filter provides the highest level of protection from air emboli in an in vitro investigation.
Melchior
Richard W
RW
Department of Perfusion Services, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA. melchiorr@email.chop.edu
Rosenthal
Tami
T
Glatz
Andrew C
AC
D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000517:prevention & control; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006440:Hemofiltration / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000295:instrumentation*