The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 26, 54-61, Copyright © 1978 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Development of a practical membrane lung system
WC Helton, FW Johnson, JB Howe, FB Freedman, WG Lindsay and DM Nicoloff
The purpose of this study was to evaluate a compact, single-pump membrane
oxygenator system designed for both short-term open-heart procedures and
long-term extracorporeal support. Work was directed at developing a
compatible, disposable venous reservoir, fabricating a compact mounting
board, determining acceptable priming volumes, and establishing safe and
effective modes of setup and operation. Ten adult baboons undergoing total
cardiopulmonary autotransplantation as part of a separate study were
operated on using a 1.5 m2 Kolobow spiral-coil membrane system. Blood
gases, oxygen transfer, extracorporeal blood flows, priming volume, and
setup times were determined. In addition, 3 infant and 6 adult human
subjects undergoing cardiac operations in which spiral-coil membranes of
various sizes were used were also similarly studied. The data and
experience from these studies suggest that the spiral-coil membrane system
utilized is safe and effective in procedures requiring short-term
cardiopulmonary bypass.
