First experience with closed circuit/centrifugal pump extracorporeal circulation: cellular trauma, coagulatory, and inflammatory response.

Closed circuit extracorporeal circulation comprising a centrifugal pump has been developed to reduce deleterious effects of standard cardiopulmonary bypass. This study compares such a system with standard extracorporeal circulation (ECC). Twenty patients underwent isolated routine coronary artery revascularization. Ten patients underwent ECC. Ten patients were operated upon using a closed circuit/centrifugal pump system with coated surfaces (ISS) (SYNERGY, Stöckert). Both groups did not differ regarding age, body mass, left ventricular function, number of bypasses, and concomitant diseases. Free hemoglobin (fHb), plasmin-antiplasmin complex (PAPc), platelet function (ROTEG), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were measured preoperatively, intraoperatively (after sternotomy, during X-Clamp, during reperfusion, post ECC or ISS), and postoperatively. Technical problems were not observed. The ISS group demonstrated significantly less fHb during bypass, a lower intraoperative myocardial damage as well as less increase in IL-6 after bypass and postoperatively compared to ECC. In ISS fluid balance was significantly lower than in ECC whereas drainage loss and hospitalization did not differ statistically. Extracorporeal circulation with a closed circuit/centrifugal pump system can be routinely employed and appears to be safe. Intraoperative and early postoperative reduction of red blood cell trauma and inflammation are of potential value.