Abstract
We clinically evaluated the UNIVOX membrane oxygenator comparing it with the SARNS-16310. Data was analyzed from 22 adult patients who underwent open heart surgery ( UNIVOX=12 patients, SARNS-16310-10 patients). The UNIVOX incorporates an integral heat exchanger and microporous, polypropylene hollow fiber membrane oxygenator and has a rated blood flow of 1-7 liters per minute. The stimultaneous gas and heat exchange requires a priming volume of only 220 ml. Though the effective gas exchange surface area of 1.6 m2was small, the UNIVOX showed good oxygen and carbon dioxide transfer rates. Both oxygenators had a low priming volume, including that of the circuit, and both proved a simple to set-up, prime, and operate. There were no statistical differences in hemocompatibility between the two types of oxygenators in terms of plasma free hemoglobin and platelet preservation ratio. In such situation, the low priming volume of only 220 ml, the UNIVOX seems to be useful to reduce the amount of blood transfusions and to practice open heart surgery without blood transfusion.
