BACKGROUND: Currently, the cardiopulmonary machine with non-pulsatile pumps, which are low in internal circuit pressure and cause little damage to blood cells, is widely used. However, a great number of experimental studies shows that pulsatile perfusions are more useful than non-pulsatile counterparts in many areas, such as hemodynamic, metabolism, organ functions, and micro-circulation. Yet, many concerns relating to pulsatile cardiopulmonary machines, such as high internal circuit pressure and blood cell damage, have long hindered the development of pulsatile cardiopulmonary machines. Against this backdrop, this study focuses on the safety and effectiveness of the pulsatile cardiopulmonary machines developed by a domestic research lab. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The dual-pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass experiment with total extracorporeal circulation was conducted on six calves. Extracorporeal circulation was provided between superior/inferior vena cava and aorta. The membrane oxygenator, which was placed between the left and right pumps, was used for blood oxygenation. Circulation took four hours. Arterial blood gas analysis and blood tests were also conducted. Plasma hemoglobin levels were calculated, while pulse pressure and internal circuit pressure were carefully observed. Measurement was taken five times; once before the operation of the cardiopulmonary bypass, and after its operation it was taken every hour for four hours. RESULT: Through the arterial blood gas analysis, PCO2 and pH remained within normal levels. PO2 in arterial blood showed enough oxygenation of over 100 mmHg. The level of plasma hemoglobin, which had total cardiopulmonary circulation, steadily increased to 15.87+/-5.63 mg/dl after four hours passed, but remained below 20 mg/dl. There was no obvious abnormal findings in blood test. Systolic blood pressure which was at 97.5+/-5.7 mmHg during the pre-circulation contraction period, was maintained over 100 mmHg as time passed. Moreover, diastolic blood pressure was 72.2+/-7.7 mmHg during the expansion period and well kept at the appropriate level with time passing by. Average blood pressure which was 83+/-9.2 mmHg before circulation, increased as time passed, while pump flow was maintained over 3.3 L/min. Blood pressure fluctuation during total extracorporeal circulation showed a similar level of arterial blood pressure of pre-circulation heart. CONCLUSION: In the experiment mentioned above, pulsatile cardiopulmonary machines using the doual-pulsatile structure provided effective pulsatile blood flow with little damage in blood cells, showing excellence in the aspects of hematology and hemodynamic. Therefore, it is expected that the pulsatile cardiopulmonary machine, if it becomes a standard cardiopulmonary machine in all heart operations, will provide stable blood flow to end-organs.
Animals* ; Aorta ; Arterial Pressure ; Blood Cells ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass* ; Extracorporeal Circulation ; Heart ; Hematologic Tests ; Hematology ; Hemodynamics ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Metabolism ; Models, Animal* ; Oxygen ; Oxygenators, Membrane ; Perfusion ; Plasma ; Pulsatile Flow