2000 Volume 36 Issue 7 Pages 1027-1033
Purpose : We tried to make an ECMO circuit with a bio-pump for newborn respiratory failure for the purpose of preventing the hemorrhagic tendency during low perfusion ECMO. Methods : We used ten puppies whose weights ranged from 3 to 5 kg. General anesthesia was maintained with hypoventilation and V-V ECMO was started. Systemic heparinization was also maintained by monitoring activated coagulation time (ACT : 200-250 s) during whole procedure. Five puppies underwent low perfusion ECMO (50 ml/kg/min) with the bio-pump (group BP), the other five with a roller-pump (group RP), for eleven hours to examine the effect on O_2 transfer, CO_2 removal, hemolysis, consumption of platelets and fibrinogen, liver function, and renal function. Results : There were no significant differences of these parameters between groups BP and RP. Conclusions : It was considered that there was no merit so far to use bio-pumps for newborn ECMO circuit. Clinical application of the ECMO with bio-pump may not be warranted yet.
