Based on the results of in vitro studies of many experimental models, a sil
icone hollow fiber membrane oxygenator for pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass
(CPB) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was developed using a
n ultrathin silicone hollow fiber with a 300 mum outer diameter and a wall
thickness of 50 mum. In this study, we evaluated the gas transfer performan
ce of this oxygenator simulating pediatric CPB and ECMO conditions. Two ex
vivo studies in a pediatric CPB condition for 6 h and 5 ex vivo studies in
an ECMO condition for 1 week were performed with venoarterial bypass using
healthy calves. At a blood flow rate of 2 L/min and V/Q = 4 (V = gas flow r
ate, Q = blood flow rate) (pediatric CPB condition), the O-2 and CO2 gas tr
ansfer rates were maintained at 97.44 +/- 8.88 (mean +/- SD) and 43.59 +/-
15.75 ml/min/m(2), respectively. At a blood flow rate of 1 L/min and V/Q =
4 (ECMO condition), the O-2 and CO2 gas transfer rates were maintained at 5
6.15 +/- 8.49 and 42.47 +/- 9.22 ml/min/m(2), respectively. These data sugg
est that this preclinical silicone membrane hollow fiber oxygenator may be
acceptable for both pediatric CPB and long-term ECMO use.