[Microparticles in heart operations with extracorporal circulation (author's transl)]

Disturbances of the microcirculation during extracorporal circulation are not yet clearly understood. Many authors think that microembolism is reposible. In two groups of patients with different perfusion techniques we were looking for microparticles with a new constant pressure filtration method using the Agglometer r apparatus. During the by-pass no particles were found. Yet, we found particles in the priming when blood was used, in the suction blood and in special blood samples after contact with the pericardium. In these cases it was always possible to eliminate the particles with special filters. The particles in the suction blood seemed to originate from the extracardial blood portion coming from the pericardium. This portion seemed to be responsible for postoperative complications such as hemolysis and petechia. These complications could not be seen when extracardiac suction blood was eliminated or filtrated.