Variable-column bubble oxygenator. A new system for bubble oxygenation.

A new bubble oxygenator has been developed. Its main advantage is that the dimensions of the oxygenating chamber can be varied. Thus, the capacity for oxygenation may be adapted to different patients. It was used in 2,700 open-heart operations performed at the Institut do Coracão, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, between January, 1971, and December, 1973. A group of 50 patients were subjected to more detailed studies. We found that the average hemolysis was 38.67 mg. per cent with a mean perfusion duration of 69 minutes, 38 seconds. Fibrinogen and platelet concentrations decreased by 14 and 25 per cent, respectively. The pH, PcO2, PO2, and base excess before and after cardiopulmonary bypass ranged within normal levels, and oxygenation (PO2) was always satisfactory.