Effects of different filter positions and combinations in extracorporeal circulation.

This study has demonstrated that best results are achieved when the arterial line filter and the coronary suction line filter and combined. The arterial line filter should not be used alone, as it does not replace the coronary suction line filter. Different flow patterns enable the coronary suction line filter to hold most of the very small particles, while those pass the arterial line filter easily. No significant differences could be demonstrated in the number of circulating cellular elements of the blood with one or more filters in place. However, during the second half of the extracorporeal circulation, up to 50% of the small particles disappear in the patient, although there is no difference between the number infused into the patient and the number found in the venous blood during the first 30 to 45 minutes of bypass.