Evaluation of the interaction between blood and foreign material in the pump oxygenator during open-heart surgery in infants by scanning electron microscopy (author's transl)

Abstract

Scanning electron microscopy was used to elucidate the interaction between blood and foreign material in the pump oxygenator during open-heart surgery in 7 infants. The loss of platelets upstream of the blood pump is caused by thrombogenicity. The pump itself causes massive destruction of platelets and red blood cells; thromboembolie up to 100 mu and foreign body particles up to 200 mu are being detached from the wall of the tubing to a large extent. The particulate matter is trapped in arterial line filter. Particles up to 40 mu and cellular aggregates up to 60 mu can pass through the filter and enter the patient's systemic circulation.