Present status and future of cardiopulmonary bypass in China

Twenty Chinese hospitals specialising in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) carrying out 13 274 procedures were selected for analysis. The technique of CPB was used during surgery for cyanotic and non-cyanotic congenital heart disease, valve replacement, coronary bypass grafting, operations on the great vessels and emergency procedures. A wide variety of CPB techniques, equipment and monitoring procedures were in use across the country. There is a need for standardisation of equipment and procedures, for broadening the skill base of perfusionists, and for the introduction of professional standards to the field whose personnel come from a variety of backgrounds.