Can an oxygenator design potentially contribute to air embolism in cardiopulmonary bypass? A novel method for the determination of the air removal capabilities of neonatal membrane oxygenators

Bubbles and bypass: an update

Bubbles in the bloodstream are not a normal condition -yet they remain a fact of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), having been extensively studied and documented since its inception some 50 years ago. While detectable levels of gaseous microemboli (GME) have decreased significantly in recent years and gross air embolism has been nearly eliminated due to increased awareness of etiologies and technological advances, methods of use of current perfusion systems continue to elicit concerns over how best to totally eliminate GME during open-heart procedures. A few studies have correlated adverse neurocognitive manifestations associated with excessive quantities of GME.

Newer techniques currently in vogue, such as vacuum-assisted venous drainage, low-prime perfusion circuits, and carbon dioxide flooding of the operative field, have, in some instances, exacerbated the problem of gas embolism or engendered secondary complications in the safe conduct of CPB. Doppler monitoring (circuit or transcranial) primarily remains a research tool to detect GME emanating from the circuit or passing into the patients’ cerebral vasculature. Newer developments not yet widely available, such as multiple-frequency harmonics, may finally provide a tool to distinguish particulate microemboli from GME and further delineate the clinical significance of GME.

Comparison of two different extracorporeal circuits on cerebral embolization during cardiopulmonary bypass in children

Objective: To compare the effect of two different extra-corporeal circuits on the counts of high-intensity transient signals (HITS) during pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Methods: Transcranial Doppler was used to detect HITS associated with extracorporeal sources during the period of aortic crossclamping in the middle cerebral artery of children undergoing CPB. Based on body size, children were assigned one of two extracorporeal circuits (A or B). Circuit A included a D-705 oxygenator and associated reservoir, and circuit B included a Lilliput oxygenator and reservoir. Patients were further classified into two groups according to the complexity of surgical repair: single simple lesions or multiple complex lesions. Results: We studied 109 pediatric patients. Surgery for multiple complex lesions was associated with longer periods of aortic crossclamping and CPB (p <0.0001). The median count of extra-corporeal HITS was 12 (25th, 75th percentiles: 3, 51). The type of extracorporeal circuit (p=0.012) and the complexity of surgical repair (p <0.0001) had an effect on the HITS counts. The use of circuit A was associated with higher HITS counts during surgery for multiple complex lesions compared to single simple lesions (p <0.0001). Conversely, no differences were found with the use of circuit B between these two surgical groups (p >0.25). During surgery for multiple complex lesions, patients treated with circuit A showed higher HITS counts than those with circuit B (p <0.01), but there were no circuit-related differences in HITS counts (p=0.30) during single simple lesions. Conclusion: Variations in the design characteristics of extracorporeal circuits can increase cerebral emboli during CPB in children. This may be related to the reduced ability of some circuits to remove emboli during long periods of CPB for complex congenital heart-surgery.

Doppler microembolic signals during cardiopulmonary bypass: Comparison of two membrane oxygenators

We undertook this study to evaluate the dependence of Doppler microembolic signal (MES) counts, detected during cardiopulmonary bypass, on the type of oxygenator used. A total of 90 patients, 71 men and 19 women, aged 60 +/- 10 years (mean +/- SD), undergoing elective cardiac surgery for coronary artery bypass grafting (one vessel, n = 6; two vessels, n = 24; three vessels, n = 33; four vessels, n = 9) or valve replacement (mitral valve, n = 2, aortic valve, n = 15, both valves, n = 1) were monitored with transcranial Doppler sonography during the complete surgical procedure. The surgical and anesthetic techniques were standardized in all patients, except for the type of membrane oxygenator used (COBE CML Duo, n = 55 or DIDECO D 703, n = 35). MES count was expressed as total number of MES detected in both middle cerebral arteries during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and also as total MES number divided by the CPB duration in minutes (MES min(-1)). No significant differences in patients' age or sex and type and duration of operation were noted between the two groups. MES incidence while the patients were on cardiopulmonary bypass was 100%. MES counts during CPB were 309 (236-502) and 143 (86-233) for DIDECO and COBE oxygenators, respectively (p < 0.00001). MES min(-1) were also significantly higher in patients operated with DIDECO, as compared to COBE oxygenators (3.7 (2.4-5.6) versus 1.5 (1-2.4), respectively, p < 0.0001). Inter-observer variability was satisfactory (k = 0.72). Use of a DIDECO D 703 oxygenator resulted in significantly higher MES counts as compared to the COBE CML Duo oxygenator. The clinical relevance of this finding remains to be determined.

Generation, detection and prevention of gaseous microemboli during cardiopulmonary bypass procedure

Neuropsychological injury after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is one of the most serious and costly complications arising from the procedure. Gaseous microemboli (GME) have long been implicated as one of the principal causes. There are two major sources of GME: surgical and manual manipulation of the heart and arteries; and the components of the extracorporeal circuit, including the type of pump, different perfusion modes, the design of the oxygenator and reservoir, and the use of vacuum assisted venous drainage (VAVD), all of which have a great impact on the delivery of existing GME to the patients. Transcranial cranial Doppler (TCD) has been used for more than two decades to assess and monitor the quality of extracorporeal perfusion with regard to the blood flow velocity of the middle cerebral arteries (MCA) and emboli detection, contributing to the achievement of better perfusion results. The Emboli Detection and Classification (EDAC) Quantifier has been able to detect and track microemboli in CPB circuits up to 1,000 microemboli per second at flow rates ranging from 0.2 L/min to 6.0 L/min. The deleterious effects of GME are multiple, including damage to the cerebral vascular endothelium, disruption of the blood-brain barrier, complement activation, leukocyte aggregation, increased platelet adherence, and fibrin deposition in the micro-vasculature. Improvements in perfusion equipment and in perfusion and surgical techniques have led to a dramatic reduction in the occurrence of GME during cardiac surgery. Although the clinical relevance of cerebral air embolization in causing neurological damage is unclear, every single person involved in perfusion and surgical technology should be aware of the risk of embolization and strictly regulate clinical behavior. Related research should also be done to improve the design of circuit components and clinical practice with a view to eliminating air bubbles during CPB procedure.

Behavior of gaseous microemboli in extracorporeal circuits: air versus CO2

BACKGROUND

Open heart surgery is associated with serious risk of cerebral and peripheral organ dysfunction, attributed in part to air microbubbles generated in or not eliminated from the extracorporeal circuit (ECC). Venous air leakage leads to increased arterial bubble load. CO2 replacing air in cardiac chambers show faster resorption times, reducing possible cerebral or peripheral organ damage after heart valve interventions. In two models of ECC the effect of air entering closed circuits was demonstrated and compared to the effect of CO2 entry.

METHODS

Fragmentation and dissolution of gas (0.5 mL) was evaluated in an in vitro model of ECC, using ultrasonic bubble detection. Air leakage (10 mL) in the venous line of the ECC was simulated and compared to the effect of the same quantity of CO2 entering the circuit. Both models used whole blood priming and physiological conditions, verified with blood gas analyses.

RESULTS

Fragmentation and dissolution of gas bubbles injected into a closed ECC could be demonstrated, complete resorption of CO2 bubbles was observed earlier than complete resorption of room air (5.0+/-0.6 vs. 14.4+/-5.9 min, p=0.0009). CO2 entering the venous line lead to 40% less arterial bubble load as compared to the same amount of room air entering the circuit (2099+/-991 vs. 3555+/-632, p=0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Current ECC systems fail to eliminate gas entering the circuit, leading rather to microbubble dispersion. CO2 is much faster resorbed within the circuit than room air. In open heart surgery as valvular operations, CO2 insufflation into the operative field is protective, as we have demonstrated in our models.

The effect of extracorporeal life support on the brain: cardiopulmonary bypass

This article reviews the mechanisms of brain injury associated with cardiopulmonary bypass. These include embolic injury of both a gaseous and particulate nature as well as global hypoxic ischemic injury. Ischemic injury can result from problems associated with venous drainage or with arterial inflow including a steal secondary to systemic to pulmonary collateral vessels. Modifications in the technique of cardiopulmonary bypass have reduced the risk of global hypoxic/ischemic injury. Laboratory and clinical studies have demonstrated that perfusion hematocrit should be maintained above 25% and preferably above 30%. Perfusion pH is also critically important, particularly when hypothermia is employed. An alkaline pH can limit cerebral oxygen delivery by inducing cerebral vasoconstriction as well as shifting oxyhemoglobin dissociation leftwards. If deep hypothermia is employed, it is critically important to add carbon dioxide using the so-called "pH stat" strategy. Oxygen management during cardiopulmonary bypass is also important. Although there is currently enthusiasm for using air rather than pure oxygen, ie, adding nitrogen, this does introduce a greater risk of gaseous nitrogen emboli since nitrogen is much less soluble than oxygen. The use of pure oxygen in conjunction with CO2 to apply the pH stat strategy is recommended. Many of the lessons learned from studies focusing on brain protection during cardiopulmonary bypass can be applied to the patient being supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Elimination of microbubbles from the extracorporeal circuit: dynamic bubble trap versus arterial filter

BACKGROUND

Open heart surgery is associated with important risk of cerebral and peripheral organ dysfunction, attributed in part to microbubbles generated in or not eliminated from the ECC. For elimination of microbubbles, a dynamic bubble trap (DBT) was developed for the arterial line of ECCs.

METHODS

Bubble eliminating properties of an arterial filter were evaluated in four CABG patients and compared to the performance of the DBT in four patients. One patient received both devices.

RESULTS

Elimination of bubbles between 40-120 microm was significantly higher with the DBT (88% vs. 57% with arterial filter, p=0.034). Reduction of bubbles below 40 microm was equivalent in both groups. The combination of both devices was most effective (94% for bubbles >40 microm).

CONCLUSION

Arterial filter and DBT are equally effective in elimination of smaller gas bubbles. However, bigger bubbles possibly causing cerebral and peripheral organ damage are eliminated to a greater degree by the DBT.

Assisted venous drainage presents the risk of undetected air microembolism

OBJECTIVES

The proliferation of minimally invasive cardiac surgery has increased dependence on augmented venous return techniques for cardiopulmonary bypass. Such augmented techniques have the potential to introduce venous air emboli, which can pass to the patient. We examined the potential for the transmission of air emboli with different augmented venous return techniques.

METHODS

In vitro bypass systems with augmented venous drainage were created with either kinetically augmented or vacuum-augmented venous return. Roller or centrifugal pumps were used for arterial perfusion in combination with a hollow fiber oxygenator and a 40-micrometer arterial filter. Air was introduced into the venous line via an open 25-gauge needle. Test conditions involved varying the amount of negative venous pressure, the augmented venous return technique, and the arterial pump type. Measurements were recorded at the following sites: pre-arterial pump, post-arterial pump, post-oxygenator, and patient side.

RESULTS

Kinetically augmented venous return quickly filled the centrifugal venous pump with macrobubbles requiring continuous manual clearing; a steady state to test for air embolism could not be achieved. Vacuum-augmented venous return handled the air leakage satisfactorily and microbubbles per minute were measured. Higher vacuum pressures resulted in delivery of significantly more microbubbles to the "patient" (P <.001). The use of an arterial centrifugal pump was associated with fewer microbubbles (P =.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Some augmented venous return configurations permit a significant quantity of microbubbles to reach the patient despite filtration. A centrifugal pump has air-handling disadvantages when used for kinetic venous drainage, but when used as an arterial pump in combination with vacuum-assisted venous drainage it aids in clearing air emboli.

Impact of a remote pump head on neonatal priming volumes

Reduction of priming volumes of the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit in neonatal cardiac surgery to decrease haemodilution and blood transfusion requirements can be achieved with the use of neonatal low prime oxygenators and smaller diameter tubing. We have further reduced our prime volume with the use of a custom-designed arm allowing for remote positioning of a double-headed roller pump. This arm enables the double pump to be placed alongside the main heart-lung machine close to the operating table, and to position the pump inlet and outlet tubing immediately at the reservoir outlet and oxygenator inlet, respectively, therefore reducing tubing lengths. Priming volumes of four cases using this configuration were compared to four cases using our standard neonatal bypass setup. Results showed a 29% decrease in priming volume and a 58% reduction in blood utilization during CPB. This reduction in priming volume is clinically significant as it lowers the ratio of priming volume to patient blood volume and reduces homologous blood requirements.