Abnormally Elevated Oxygenator Inlet Pressure during Cardiovascular Surgery: A Series of Five Cases

Abstract

　During cardiovascular surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, abnormal elevation of oxygenator inlet pressure can result in critical situations such as emergency oxygenator changeout. To study cases of abnormally elevated pressure, we herein identified patients who underwent adult cardiovascular surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass at our hospital between April 2015 and March 2021 and experienced an increase in oxygenator inlet pressure of 300 mmHg or higher based on cardiopulmonary bypass records. Five of 463 patients (1.1%) showed an abnormal increase in oxygenator inlet pressure. In only one of the five patients, oxygenator inlet pressure temporarily exceeded 400 mmHg, whereas in the other four patients, it did not increase above 400 mmHg. According to the Japanese Society for Cardiovascular Surgery, emergency oxygenator changeout is not necessary when oxygenator inlet pressure is below 400 mmHg. In this case report, the specified hemodynamic index was maintained for all patients, and oxygenator changeout was not required.