[Hemodynamic adaptation during extracorporeal perfusion and arteriovenous extracorporeal CO2 removal]

During an animal study using five bastard dogs the hemodynamic relations during extracorporeal perfusion with an arteriovenous circuit and extracorporeal CO2 removal (ECCO2-R) were analyzed. We utilised a prototype circuit (Promed, West-Germany) which is by diminution and using silicon rubber adapted to the application in newborn. A silicon lung (Scimed, 0.8 m2, ECCO2-R) was used in the circuit. During the six hours perfusion period a main arterial blood pressure of 83 +/- 17 mmHg and an extracorporeal blood flow of 412 +/- 56 ml/min was found using arteriovenous perfusion via the femoral artery and vein. We found a statistical significant correlation (r = 0.66) between the main arterial blood pressure and the extracorporeal blood flow. Further more there was a significant correlation between the arterial PCO2 and the blood flow through membrane lung (r = 0.81). In conclusion our animal experiments approved the possibility of hemodynamic adaptation to an arteriovenous circuit as well as effectiveness of CO2 removal via such circuit.