Why Avoid The Heart-Lung Machine?
Since the invention of a crude version of the heart-lung machine in 1955, it has aided surgeons in performing open-heart and bypass surgeries. Over time, the machine was refined to its current form, allowing surgeons to carry out open-heart procedures with a success rate of nearly 99%. Though the heart-lung machine has proven to be a major reason for the success of CABG procedures, there is some pathology associated with its use [17]. • The surface of the tubes that carry the blood to and from the heart-lung machine are capable of injuring blood cells • While in the tubes of the machine, the blood is subjected to a considerable amount of external stress forces • Many substances may be caught in the blood stream such as air, plastic particles, and small blood clots All of these factors leads to what some doctors call a “whole body inflammation”. Doctors believe complications will increase with the amount of time a person is left on the cardiopulmonary pump. Complications inculde: • Swel
