Experimental alterations of certain colloidal properties of blood during cardiopulmonary bypass

Abstract

Microscopic examination of brain, kidney and lung tissues from patients whose unexplained deaths occurred shortly following cardiopulmonary bypass procedures have revealed varying degrees of systemic fat embolization. Similar findings have been observed experimentally in animals when cardiopulmonary bypass has been maintained by a stationary screen oxygenator for prolonged periods. These findings were not altered by changes in the heparin level, the utilization of protamine or by the type of anesthetic agent employed. Animals receiving replacement transfusions of blood, which had circulated in the pump-oxygenator for 2 hours, demonstrated large quantities of peripheral fat emboli. However, very few fat emboli were found if the oxygenator was omitted from the circuit. Submitted on May 28, 1959