ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF ULTRAFILTRATION AFTER CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS

A revised circuit design for modified ultrafiltration is presented ren dering the technique more convenient for use after cardiopulmonary byp ass when blood cardioplegia is used. The procedure employs a hollow-fi ber ultrafiltration device attached to the cardioplegia circuit. A bub ble trap, heat exchanger, and a pressure monitor are incorporated as s afety features. The technique has been used in 80 patients (30 pediatr ic and 50 adult) and has been associated with relevant increases in co lloid osmotic pressure and hematocrit.