ObjectiveUsually only FDA-approved oxygenators are subject of studies by the
international scientific community. The objective of this study is to
evaluate two types of neonatal membrane oxygenators in terms of
transmembrane pressure gradient, hemodynamic energy transmission and gaseous
microemboli capture in simulated cardiopulmonary bypass systems.MethodsWe investigated the Braile Infant 1500 (Braile Biomédica, São
José do Rio Preto, Brazil), an oxygenator commonly used in Brazilian
operating rooms, and compared it to the Dideco Kids D100 (Sorin Group,
Arvada, CO, USA), that is an FDA-approved and widely used model in the USA.
Cardiopulmonary bypass circuits were primed with lactated Ringer's solution
and packed red blood cells (Hematocrit 40%). Trials were conducted at flow
rates of 500 ml/min and 700 ml/min at 35ºC and 25ºC. Real-time pressure and
flow data were recorded using a custom-based data acquisition system. For
gaseous microemboli testing, 5cc of air were manually injected into the
venous line. Gaseous microemboli were recorded using the Emboli Detection
and Classification Quantifier.ResultsBraile Infant 1500 had a lower pressure drop (P<0.01) and
a higher total hemodynamic energy delivered to the pseudopatient
(P<0.01). However, there was a higher raw number of
gaseous microemboli seen prior to oxygenator at lower temperatures with the
Braile oxygenator compared to the Kids D100
(P<0.01).ConclusionBraile Infant 1500 oxygenator had a better hemodynamic performance compared
to the Dideco Kids D100 oxygenator. Braile had more gaseous microemboli
detected at the pre-oxygenator site under hypothermia, but delivered a
smaller percentage of air emboli to the pseudopatient than the Dideco
oxygenator.