Abstract
We investigated the clinical characteristics of the Monolyth membrane oxygenator (Sorin Biomedica) and compared this oxygenator with another membrane oxygenator, D 703 Compactflo (Dideco) during CABG operation. The gas exchange efficiency, both oxygen transfer and carbon dioxide removal, was sufficient for clinical use. We introduced the PaO2/FIO2, named PaO2 index, into the assessment of oxygenation, especially for evaluating the PaO2 contnol of the membrane oxygenator. In these aspects, there was no significant difference between both artificial lungs. The influence of this membrane oxygenator on blood trauma and complements was within permitted limits. This membrane oxygenator needs only small amount of priming fluid in the whole system of the cardiopulmonary bypass (900-1, 100 ml). We concluded that it will be one of the most useful parts of CPB with the aim of carrying out the cardiac operation without blood transfusion.
