CLINICAL-EXPERIENCE USING THE BIO-PUMP FOR EXTRACORPOREAL-CIRCULATIONDURING OPEN-HEART-SURGERY

The Bio-pump is still being used in a wide range of clinical applicati ons such as open-heart surgery, left-heart bypass, extracorporeal memb rane oxygenation, and supplementary circulation. Clinical application of the Bio-pump for extracorporeal circulation in 21 patients undergoi ng open-heart surgery was compared with application of the roller pump in terms of their effects on hemolysis, platelet function, and renal function. Although the amount of hemolysis was not significantly diffe rent between the Bio-pump group and the roller-pump group, platelet fu nction was slightly better maintained in the Bio-pump group as judged by the levels of platelet factor 4, beta-thromboglobulin, and 6-keto-p rostaglandin F1alpha/thromboxane B2. There was no difference between t he two pumps in terms of their effects on renal function. The above fi ndings lead us to conclude that there is a slight advantage to use of the Bio-pump in clinical settings.