Platelet activation in the Gyro C1E3 centrifugal pump: Comparison with theTerumo Capiox and the Nikkiso HPM-15

The Gyro C1E3 was developed as a cardiopulmonary bypass pump incorporating the sealless double pivot bearing system. In this study, we evaluated plate let activation induced by the Gyro C1E3 in vitro and in comparison to that of other centrifugal pumps. Rates of increase (RI) for beta -thromboglobuli n (beta -TG) and platelet factor 4 (PF4) in the Gyro C1E3 were calculated f rom in vitro data and compared with the rate of increase in the Capiox (Ter umo) and HPM-15 (Nikkiso) pumps. Fresh human blood was used, and a flow of 5.0 L/min with a DeltaP (pressure difference between the outlet and inlet o f the pump) of 100 mm Hg employed. RI = Delta beta -TG/DeltaN and Delta PF4 /DeltaN were used where Delta beta -TG is the increase in beta -TG, Delta P F4 is the increase in PF4, and DeltaN is the increase in the passing number and where N = Qt/V (t = time, V = priming volume, and Q = flow rate). The mean RI for beta -TG was 0.26 +/- 0.05 in the Gyro C1E3, 0.20 +/- 0.07 in t he Capiox, and 0.15 +/- 0.02 in the HPM-15. The mean RI for PF4 was 0.15 +/ - 0.03 in the Gyro C1E3, 0.12 +/- 0.05 in the Capiox, and 0.09 +/- 0.04 in the HPM-15. While there was no difference in RI for beta -TG and PF4 betwee n the Gyro C1E3 and Capiox, RI for beta -TG and PF4 were significantly high er in the Gyro C1E3 than in the HPM-15 (p = 0.006 and 0.029). In vitro eval uation using RI for beta -TG and PF4 showed platelet damage caused by the G yro C1E3 and the Capiox to be nearly equal while the HPM-15 was less trauma tic to platelets than the Gyro C1E3.