Extracorporeal CO/sub 2/ removal with A-V pumpless bypass

A study of the overall hemocompatibility of a low-pressure-drop membrane oxygenator (MO) with circulating blood and the gaseous transfers during long term extracorporeal circulation (ECC) is described. Results of animal experiments using an arterio-venous pumpless shunt and graded testing with various gas mixtures after completion of a long-term run are presented. The results, which include blood flow rate, gas exchange, hematological parameters, and blood deposits, demonstrate that the shunt and MO could be used up to 72 h without significant blood deposits, provided that the heparin dose is adequate.<
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