The efficacy of low prime volume completely closed cardiopulmonary bypass in coronary artery revascularization.

PURPOSE This study was conducted to evaluate and demonstrate the efficacy of low prime volume completely closed cardiopulmonary bypass (LPVP) in arrested coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We improved the percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) circuit to reduce the deleterious effects of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). METHODS Between April 1999 and May 2003, among 228 isolated CABG procedures, 47 procedures using LPVP (group L) and 86 procedures using standard prime volume open CPB (group S) were compared. The LPVP priming volume was 590 mL; the circuit was completely closed with a soft reservoir. Cardiac arrest was obtained by warm blood cardioplegia. RESULTS The following average values were obtained: packed red blood cell transfusions, 0.88 +/- 1.4 U (group L) vs. 2.1 +/- 2.5 U (group S); intraoperative lowest hematocrit value, 28.7 +/- 4.6% (group L) vs. 22.4 +/- 3.3% (group S); blood loss over first 24 hours, 439 +/- 242 mL (group L) vs. 599 +/- 409 mL (group S); ventilation time, 5.1 +/- 3.1 hours (group L) vs. 10.4 +/- 14.9 hours (group S). CONCLUSION Compared to standard prime volume open CPB, LPVP resulted in fewer deleterious operative effects. Less blood loss, fewer blood transfusions, and earlier patient recovery was noted with LPVP. Thus, LPVP is a very efficient form of CPB.