Fundamental study of safety when continuous blood purification (CBP) used in combination percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS)

Abstract

When CBP (continuous blood purification) is performed with PCPS (percutaneous cardiopulmonary support), blood can be drawn from the venous line of PCPS. However, there might be a risk of injecting bubbles. We examined the risk of injecting bubbles into a patient when a circuit of CBP is connected to the venous line of PCPS. We found that when the circuit is completely transected or there is a loose connection, the oxygenator cannot trap air bubbles, and the bubbles were rapidly injected into the patient. To avoid this risk, the vascular access of PCPS and CBP should therefore be separate.