Abstract
The effect of synchronous pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass (pulsatile ECMO) for neonatal cardiopulmonary failure was studied on the hemodynamics. Eight normal puppies weighing 2.0-4.9kg (mean 3.1kg) were placed on nonpulsatile ECMO for 1-2 hours followed by pulsatile ECMO for 1-2 hours. During pulsatile ECMO, arterial peak pressure, arterial pulse pressure, endocardial viability ratio, renal blood flow and urinary output were significantly higher than during nonpulsatile ECMO. These results suggested that pulsatile ECMO may be more effective for neonates with cardiopulmonary failure than nonpulsatile ECMO.
