A literature review of cardiopulmonary bypass models for rats

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has improved a great deal since its first appl ications in the early 1950s. if improvements are to be continued, a preclin ical model of CPB for small animals is desirable, mainly because of conveni ence of equipment and low costs. We review the different models of CPB for rats that have been designed, discuss their characteristics and points wher e improvements may be made. We give suggestions and requirements for a new up-to-date model that could be a useful tool in continued research on the p athophysiology and therapeutic strategies of CPB.