Holder System for External Pumps Positioned Remote from the CPB Console: 23 Years’ Experience

Since 1995, our objective is to set up the extracorporeal circulation (ECC) in a manner that is both safe and versatile with a holder system which makes possible to install the oxygenator and vacuum-assisted venous drainage (VAVD) hard-shell venous reservoir (HSVR) together with the external pumps, at a distance from the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) console but at the same height as the patient’s shoulder. The aim is to reduce the effects of ECC by reducing surface of air/blood, blood/materials contact, the dead space of the system and priming volume of the circuit. Our ECC systems have a biocompatible surface treatment, the oxygenator and HSVR are adapted to the patient (body surface area, pathologies, etc.) and circuit includes short 3/8 in arterial and venous line (adult patients). We introduced into routine VAVD, retrograde autologous priming (RAP), including arterial line, arterial filter and antegrade autologous priming of the venous line (VAP) before the start of ECC. To confirm this development strategy of the ECC, we conducted a series of studies that have permitted to demonstrate the positive impact on postoperative outcomes of patients. Since September 2007, our objective was attained through the creation of a holder system (System U. Borrelli)

Biomarkers in immunonutrition programme, is there still a need for new ones? A brief review

Peer reviewedPublisher PD