| pubmed-article:3336870 | pubmed:abstractText | The requirements that have to be met by an on-line autotransfusion system (ATS) in case of massive blood loss are a sufficient capacity for reinfusing the shed blood, an optimal hemocompatibility, ability to prevent reinfusion of aspirated air, and ease of operation. In a previous study we tested a diaphragm pump in our pneumatically driven ATS that met these requirements. In this study a centrifugal pump was used as an outflow pump in otherwise the same system. A centrifugal pump has important advantages: It prevents the occurrence of massive air embolism, accidental obstruction of the outflow line will not cause bursting of the tubing, and there is no spallation. There are also indications that a centrifugal pump causes less stimulation of the coagulation cascade than do other pumps. Because of these advantages, we were interested in the hemocompatibility and pumping characteristics of the centrifugal pump in our ATS. From this study we conclude that the hemocompatibility of the centrifugal pump was not significantly different from that of the previously tested diaphragm pump. Also, the system can easily and safely be operated by non-specialized personnel. Because of the advantages, especially in pumping characteristics, the centrifugal pump is our choice in on-line ATSs. | lld:pubmed |
