Very economical immersion pump feasibility for postmortem CT angiography

Abstract

Abstract Background: Current postmortem CT angiography (PMCTA) methods lack machines that are low priced and openly accessible. The aim of this technical study was to evaluate the usage of a very economical mobile immersion pump in comparison to a standard roller pump of a heart-lung machine for PMCTA. Methods: A Barwig Model 0444 immersion pump and a roller pump mounted inside a conventional clinically certified Stockert Shiley heart-lung machine were used. Contrast agent (water soluble contrast agent dissolved in PEG 200 at 1:20) and PMCTA parameters were same across both methods. Two PMCTA full body scans of a comparable postmortem interval are compared. Results: Calibrating voltage against flow rate yields a linear relationship for both water and PEG based contrast solution. Imaging yields similar results for both pump methods. Conclusions: A more widespread and systematic implementation of PMCTA needs the premise of affordable equipment for facilities with tight budgets. Evaluation of an economical pump system is a step into that direction. This study shows that for specific postmortem application, a very low priced immersion pump delivers equal results to a clinically certified costly roller pump.