A Computer-controlled pulsatile pump system for cardiopulmonary bypass and its effects on regional blood flow, haemolysis and inflammatory response

The benefit of pulsatile perfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass is still controversial.In this study we examined the non-pulsatile perfusion generated by a roller pump, the pulsatile perfusion induced by a roller- pump and the "physiological" pulsatile perfusion generated by a new device on renal and gut tissue perfusion, haemolysis and inflammatory response.In the group with the new computer-controlled pump system there was no significant difference for haemodynamic data between the measurement before and under ECC. The degree of haemolysis was similar in both pulsatile groups but less in the non-pulsatile group. There was no difference on serum concentration of IL 6, IL Ira and on regional blood flow between the groups.There are no advantages for pulsatile perfusion on haemolysis, inflammatory response and regional organ blood flow.