A clinical evaluation of three modern blood oxygenators

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the performance of three standard oxygenators in a clinical setting. The oxygenators selected included the Bard H1700, the Bentley CM-50 and the Cobe CML. Fifty CPB procedures were performed on patients undergoing elective CABG procedures in each group and prospectively analysed. Patient related parameters were collected in three subsets: preoperative, operative and postoperative, and organized into a data base on a standard 'Clinfo' system. The groups were then compared for statistically significant differences. The three groups were similar in all demographic and patient management categories examined. Overall morbidity and mortality were not significantly different. Parameters in each of four major biocompatibility categories were found to differ significantly between the three groups. RBC and FFP use, maximum platelet decrease and maximum WBC increase were each improved in the CM L group as compared to the other two groups. The results indicate that the CML offers distinct biocompatibility advantages over the other two systems in several important blood component categories. Despite the slight user friendliness advantages of a bubbler system, we believe that the oxygenator of choice at present is the CML.