[Renal function after non-blood priming extracorporeal circulation]

Non-blood priming extracorporeal circulation (ECC) in open heart surgery was studied to evaluate its effect on kidney, and was compared with blood-priming ECC. Non-blood priming ECC was performed in 49 cases, and blood-priming ECC was performed in 25 cases. Serum creatinine creatinine clearance, BUN, UUN/BUN and urinary Na/K ratio were measured. Perfusion flow, total peripheral vascular resistance (TPR) and cardiac index after ECC were measured to know if there is a significant difference between the two groups. The following results were obtained: There were no significant differences between the two groups as to the perfusion flow, TPR during ECC and cardiac index after ECC. Using non-blood priming ECC was found to be the safer method from the point of preserving the renal function. When compared with blood priming ECC, the non-blood priming ECC was found to be more beneficial for the renal function. Renal failure was observed in 3 pediatric cases using blood priming ECC and 1 adult case using non-blood priming ECC. Low cardiac output syndrome or heart failure were thought to be causes of the renal failure in these 4 patients.