[Membrane oxygenator in cardiac surgery. Its interest in extra-corporal circulation (E.C.C.) lasting more than three hours (author's transl)].

Retrospective analysis of 20 cases of heart surgery under extracorporeal circulation lasting more than three hours was performed to assess the foreseeable character or not of the long duration of the E.C.C., furthermore the risk and interest of prolongation of the E.C.C. when the latter is performed with a membrane oxygenator. It is difficult to foresee before the operation the onset of problems of operative technic which lengthen the duration of the operation, and the necessity to continue the perfusion owing to the impossibility of stopping the E.C.C. The minimal risk of prolonging the E.C.C. when the latter is equipped with a membrane oxygenator and when the operative difficulties are solved satisfactorily leads one to consider E.C.C. an essential factor in intensive care.