Pulmonary dysfunction associated with cardiopulmonary bypass: a comparison of bubble and membrane oxygenators

Intrapulmonary shunting and white cell sequestration in the lungs were compared prospectively in patients who underwent coronary artery grafting using either bubble or membrane oxygenators. Bubble oxygenators caused more sequestration of white cells, but this was not reflected in any detectable increase in pulmonary shunting. Postoperative blood loss was less in those patients who had been on membrane oxygenators. We conclude that there is little advantage in using the membrane oxygenator for uncomplicated short-term perfusions.