Automated temperature management during cardiopulmonary bypass: a step toward safety and precision perfusion

Precise temperature management during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes, and influencing metabolic rate, organ protection, and neurological integrity. Traditionally, temperature control during CPB has relied on manual adjustments by perfusionists, a practice fraught with potential for human error and variability in outcomes. Such variability can lead to severe complications, including cerebral hyperthermia and inflammatory responses, which significantly impact patient recovery and morbidity. This paper introduces a novel, fully automated temperature management system, which integrates with existing heater-cooler units (HCUs) and advanced perfusion systems to enhance precision and reliability. By utilizing real-time physiological monitoring and intelligent automation, the system dynamically adjusts temperature phases based on continuous patient feedback. Preliminary simulation data are presented to validate the system's feasibility and responsiveness. Ethical considerations regarding automated decision-making in surgery are also briefly discussed.