Oxygenator

It is disposable and contains about 2–4 m² of a membrane permeable to gas but impermeable to blood, in the form of hollow fibers.

Systemic heparin does not completely prevent clotting or the activation of complement, neutrophils, and monocytes, which are the principal mediators of the inflammatory response.

This response produces a wide range of cytotoxins, and cell-signaling proteins that circulate throughout the patient's body during surgery and disrupt homeostasis.

A greater source of such microemboli are caused by the suction of surgical debris and lipids into the CPB circuit.

Physicians refer to such temporary neurological deficits as “pumphead syndrome.” Heparin-coated blood oxygenators are one option available to a surgeon and a perfusionist to decrease morbidity associated with CPB to a limited degree.

The researchers concluded that Ovrum et al. 2001[full citation needed] compared the clinical outcomes of 1336 patients with the Carmeda Bioactive Surface and Duraflo II coatings.

The leading cause of hemolysis and microemboli is the return of blood suctioned from the surgical field to the CPB circuit.

This blood has come into contact with air, lipids and debris that can significantly increase system inflammatory response.