title: An in vitro model of a system of electrical potential compensation in extracorporeal circulation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery induces systemic immune-inflammatory reaction that results in increased postoperative morbidity. Many factors are responsible for the adverse response after ECC. The present in vitro study aimed to investigate electric charges (ECs) generated during ECC, to set a device compensating the ECs, and checking its effect on red blood cells (RBC).
  
  
  METHODS
  The electrical signals of blood in ECC were collected by a custom developed low-noise electronic circuit, processed by a digital oscilloscope (DSO) and a dynamic signal analyzer (DSA). The compensation of ECs was performed using a compensation device, injecting a nulling charge into the blood circuit. The compensation effect of the ECs on RBCs was evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The electrical analysis performed using both the DSO and the DSA confirmed the EC formation during ECC. The notable electric signals recorded in standard ECC circuits substantially nulled once the compensation device was used, thus confirming efficient EC compensation. After two hours of ECC, the SEM non-blended test on human RBC samples highlighted morphological changes in acanthocytes of the normal biconcave-shaped RBC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The outcomes confirm the development of parasitic ECs during ECC and that a suppressor system may decrease the potential damage of ECs. Nevertheless, further studies are ongoing in order to investigate the complex mechanisms related to lymphocytes and platelet morphological and physiological chances during triboelectric charges in ECC.
authors.affiliation: 1 Research grant from Spinner 2013, Spinner Consortium, Bologna - Italy.
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Carletti
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cattini
authors.forename: Renzo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lodi
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petralia
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rovati
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zaffe
mesh_terms: D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena; D004867:Equipment Design; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D005112:Extracorporeal Circulation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011482:Protective Devices; D055672:Static Electricity / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible