Abstract
The Maxima is an outside flow type membrane oxygenator. It contains heat exchanger and 2800 hollow fibers with an effective membrane surface area of 2.0m2 The hollow fiber has 400μm inner diameter and 460μm outer diameter and its pore size is 0.03μm. The Maxima and Capiox II were applied for open heart surgery. In Maxima, paltelet count was significantly higher and plasma free hemoglobin was significantly lower than in Capiox II at 30, 60, and 90 minutes of cardiopulmonary bypass. Blood gas exchange was maintained stable within physiological limits throughout bypass in both oxygenators. At flow rate of 3.5l/min, mean pressure drop of 30mmHg in Maxima and 80mmHg in Capiox II was observed. As for protection of platelet, hemolysis and pressure drop, Maxima seems to be superior to Capiox II.
