BENEFICIAL CIRCULATORY SUPPORT BY LEFT HEART BYPASS WITH A CENTRIFUGAL (BIOMEDICUS) PUMP FOR ANEURYSMS OF THE DESCENDING THORACIC AORTA

A comparative study between left heart bypass with a centrifugal (BioM edicus) pump and with a temporary external shunt was performed to asse ss the efficacy of distal organ perfusion in the surgical treatment of 31 patients with aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta. Eighteen patients were supported with a centrifugal pump, and the remaining 13 were supported by temporary shunt with either a Gott shunt or a Dacron graft. Heparinless bypass with a centrifugal pump provided a signific ant decrease of intraoperative blood loss and blood transfusion by the combined application of Cell-Saver. The pressure difference between u pper and lower extremities decreased (p < 0.05) in the centrifugal pum p group even with aortic cross-clamping, and the urine output increase d during operation. Among 13 patients supported with the temporary shu nt, 3 had postoperative renal failure, and 2 died of it. All patients with a centrifugal pump survived without any complications. It could b e concluded that the left heart bypass with a centrifugal (BioMedicus) pump was safe and was favorable for support of the distal circulation during aortic cross-clamping and to prevent ischemic complications su ch as renal failure and spinal cord injury.