Edglugate-Mg as a Blood Preservative for Extracorporeal Circulation

Abstract

The advent of extracorporeal surgical procedures in which large quantities of blood are necessary for priming of the apparatus has occasioned new and severe demands on blood banks. In most instances freshly drawn heparinized blood has been used and is currently being used for these procedures. That freshly drawn blood is superior to stored blood in extracorporeal perfusion for red cell viability, intact coagulation systems, normal electrolytes, and pH is conceded. However, the availability of "fresh blood" and the burden it places on blood banks and donors can in some instances interfere seriously with frequent and proper scheduling of open-heart operations. In addition, if after drawing of the heparinized blood the operation for various reasons is cancelled, the blood banks are faced with the problem of quickly finding other recipients for the blood or discarding it as waste. The reentering of the blood container to add a second anticoagulant such