Extracorporeal Circuit Pathways for Lung Perfusion

Abstract

In research carried out by Gabriel et al.,¹ strategies for lung perfusion had to be created so that the compromise conventional pattern of the extracorporeal circuit was not compromised. That was particularly important because it allowed heart surgeon to establish cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in a usual manner and perfuse the main pulmonary trunk either intermittently or continuously. For performing experimental procedures, the authors used the UNIQUE cardioplegic system, THYMUS pediatric oxygenator, and the whole extracorporeal circuit manufactured by Nipro Brazil. As pointed out, some adaptations had to be done to create pathways for lung perfusion using either venous blood or arterial blood. All the components of the extracorporeal circuit can be visualized in Figs. 30.1 and 30.2 in detail. Figures 30.3, 30.4, 30.5, and 30.6 demonstrate how lung perfusion happened from the experimental point of view; Fig. 30.7 summarizes all these data simulating the clinical extracorporeal pattern in which employed different strategies of lung perfusion during heart surgery requiring CPB.