Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026
A Recovery Cardiopulmonary Bypass Model Without Transfusion or Inotropic Agents in Rats
Published on: March 23, 2018
Effect of different pump heads for CPB on early cognitive outcome after coronary artery bypass surgery
Sebastian Holinski1, Benjamin Claus, Nicole Haeger
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Charité Hospital, Med ical University, Berlin, Germany.
Insights
Roller pumps show a less damaging effect on cognitive function after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery compared to centrifugal pumps. Patients using roller pumps experienced a smaller decline in neuropsychological abilities post-operation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Neuropsychology
- Medical Device Technology
Background:
- Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) can lead to cognitive dysfunction.
- The type of pump used during CPB may influence postoperative cognitive outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the impact of roller pumps versus centrifugal pumps during CPB on cognitive performance in CABG patients.
- To assess the effect of different CPB pump types on neuropsychological decline after surgery.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study of 100 CABG patients (50 centrifugal pump, 50 roller pump), matched for age and CPB duration.
- Preoperative and postoperative cognitive function assessed using six neuropsychological subtests (Syndrom Kurz Test, Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale).
- Cognitive scores combined via principal component analysis to evaluate overall function and decline.
Main Results:
- Both pump types resulted in significant cognitive decline post-CABG.
- Patients undergoing surgery with centrifugal pumps exhibited a significantly greater decline in overall cognitive function compared to those using roller pumps (p = 0.04).
Conclusions:
- Roller pumps appear to have a less cerebro-damaging effect than centrifugal pumps in CABG patients.
- This suggests that roller pumps may be preferable for preserving neuropsychological function after cardiac surgery.
Objectives:
Reduction of cognitive function is a possible side effect after coronary artery surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We investigated the effect of roller versus centrifugal pumps for CPB on cognitive performance in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
Methods:
50 consecutive CABG patients operated with centrifugal pump were compared to 50 roller pump patients matched for age and duration of CPB. Six neuropsychological subtests from the Syndrom Kurz Test and the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale were performed preoperatively and on the third postoperative day in a double blind fashion. To assess the overall cognitive function and the degree of cognitive decline across all tests after surgery we combined the six test-scores by principal component analysis.
Results:
Patients with a mean age of 63.9±8.4 years received a mean of 3.0±0.9 bypasses within an average of 80.6±20.7 mins on CPB. These parameters as well as the preoperative combined neurocognitive score were not significantly different between the groups. After the operation there was a significant deterioration of the combined neuropsychological score in both groups (centrifugal: preop 0.41±2.49 vs.postop -2.86±2.70, p <0.0005 and roller: preop -0.41±2.35 vs. postop -2.73±3.16, p <0.0005). However, the patients operated with a centrifugal pump had a significantly greater decline of overall cognitive function compared to the roller pump patients(3.3±1.7 vs. 2.3±2.7, p = 0.04).
Conclusion:
Roller pumps have a less cerebro-damaging effect than centrifugal pumps since they lead to a smaller postoperative decline of neuropsychological abilities in coronary bypass patients.
