Complement activation and SEM studies of membrane oxygenators

Four devices (one bubbler and three membrane oxygenating devices) have been developed for extracorporeal circulation (ECC) for coronary bypass or valvular replacement. Determinations of C3, C4, C5, and C3a, C4a, C5a have been made during the course of ten ECC applications. Indexes have been defined to evaluate the activation of the complement system in order to compare the devices. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies on the membranes after the ECC show that membrane oxygenators are more haemocompatible than bubblers.<>