We compared in vitro rates of hemolysis for a recently developed centr
ifugal pump with a conventional roller pump (10-10-00; Stackert, Munic
h, Germany). Flow rates of 0.3 L/min and 1 L/min and a pressure of 200
mm Hg were chosen to simulate conditions during neonatal extracorpore
al membrane oxygenation (ECMO). There was no significant difference in
hemolysis rates between centrifugal and roller pumps (p = 0.57) nor b
etween high and low flow (p = 0.86). The centrifugal pump caused no mo
re blood trauma than the roller pump at the low-flow/high-pressure con
ditions required for neonatal ECMO. The Nikkiso pump is superior to ro
ller pumps in size and priming volume (25 ml) and may permit developme
nt of a smaller and simpler ECMO system.