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Gaseous microemboli and the influence of microporous membrane oxygenators

Heinz-H Weitkemper1, Bernd Oppermann, Andreas Spilker

  • 1Heart-Center of North-Rhine Westphalia, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Bad Oeynhausen, Federal Republic of Germany.

The Journal of Extra-Corporeal Technology
|December 15, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Gaseous microemboli (GME) pose a risk during cardiopulmonary bypass. This study shows that microporous membrane oxygenators partially remove GME, altering their size and number.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Medical Device Technology

Background:

  • Gaseous microemboli (GME) are a persistent issue in extracorporeal circuits, potentially causing organ damage during cardiopulmonary bypass.
  • Microbubbles form due to circuit components and surgical actions, impacting patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of microporous membrane oxygenators in removing GME.
  • To assess GME behavior in both clinical settings and an in vitro model.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a two-channel ultrasonic bubble counter with 2-MHz Doppler probes to monitor GME.
  • Analyzed GME quantity and size before and after membrane oxygenators in 28 clinical cases.
  • Tested six different oxygenators with varying membrane technologies in an in vitro air removal model.

Main Results:

  • Observed varying GME removal capabilities across different oxygenator membrane designs.
  • Found that oxygenators partially reduced GME and modified their size and number.
  • Clinical observations and in vitro tests showed consistent trends in GME behavior.

Conclusions:

  • Microporous membrane oxygenator design significantly influences GME removal efficiency.
  • Oxygenators can mitigate but not entirely eliminate GME, affecting microbubble characteristics.
  • Further research into oxygenator technology is needed to fully address the GME problem.

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