Total cardiopulmonary support with disposable membrane oxygenator during aortocoronary artery-vein graft operations.

Fifty-five patients received total cardiopulmonary support with the disposable Lande-Edwards membrane oxygenator during aortocoronary artery-vein graft operations and other complex open heart operations. Two three meter2 membrane oxygenators were linked in parallel to a standard r o b pump apparatus. (Three 3 meter2 membranes for patients weighing 80 to 103 kg.) Excellent oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange (2 ml (h/kg/min) occurred during hypothermia of 30°C at flows of 50 ml/kg/min during pump runs of 1 to 6% hours. Low sonar counts for microemboli were associated with platelet counts up to 200,000 per milliliters; therefore, fewer Mood transfusions were needed. Plasma hemoglobin was below SO mg percent, and the urine remained yellow except when excessive surtioning occurred. Immediate awakening and ambulation in the hallway within 24 hours, reduced lung complications and permitted earlier hospital discharge than similar patients supported with bubble oxygen* tor. The absence of direct Mood gas interface in membrane oxygenator allows safer prolonged total cardiopulmonary support in our hands than the bubble or disc oxygenator.