CLINICAL CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS WITHOUT SYSTEMIC ANTICOAGULATION

Heparin-coated perfusion systems have been used to perform cardiopulmo nary bypass with decreased systemic heparin dosages. We report the cas e of a 60-year-old man with end-stage liver disease and severe aortic stenosis who underwent an aortic valve replacement without systemic an ticoagulation, employing a heparin-coated perfusion system. In patient s with a contraindication to systemic anticoagulation, cardiopulmonary bypass with a heparin-coated system without systemic anticoagulation may be a viable alternative.