Recent Advances in Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Bypass

There have been numerous recent advances geared specifically toward the practice of pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). These advances include the development of the first oxygenator intended solely for the neonatal CPB patient; pediatric oxygenators with low prime volumes and surface areas, which allow flows up to 2 L/min; pediatric oxygenators with integrated arterial filters; and miniature ultrafiltration (UF) devices, which allow for high rates of ultrafiltrate removal. When used in combination with heart lung machines with mast-mounted pumps, these advances can result in significant decreases in CPB circuit surface areas and prime volumes. This may attenuate CPB-associated hemodilution and decrease or eliminate the need for homologous red blood cells during or after CPB. In addition to these equipment-related advances, changes in myocardial protection strategies and the technique of modified UF as it relates to these advances are discussed.