Clinical evaluation of priming solutions for pump oxygenator perfusion.

Various hemodilution agents are now used routinely to prime heart-lung machines for cardiac operations. Hemodilution has resulted in considerable conservation of blood as well as diminution of plasma and corpuscle damage by decreasing the concentration of these elements in blood during extracorporeal circulation. Controversy has existed regarding the relative efficacy of various hemodilution solutions. This study covers 68 patients, divided into three groups, for whom hemodilution was done as follows: (1) the pump was primed with a 5% dextrose solution containing no colloid; (2) Ringer's lactate solution containing approximately 1% low-molecular-weight dextran was used; and (3) a new plasma expander, hydroxyethyl starch, was used as the colloid component of an electrolyte solution. Evaluations and comparisons were carried out for flow rates, blood pressure, urine volume, hematocrit, BUN, blood loss, clotting factors, and the patient's clinical course with regard to pulmonary and neurological complications. We conclude that a colloid is beneficial, especially with longer perfusions.