Superiority of centrifugal pump over roller pump in paediatric cardiac surgery: prospective randomised trial1

Objective: The merits of centrifugal pump in adult cardiopulmonary bypass are well established. This study compares the effects of the Medtronic Biomedicus centrifugal pump with conventionally used roller pump in routine cardiopulmonary bypass in infants and children. Methods: Between June 1996 and March 1997, 42 children (aged 2 days-13 years) undergoing elective cardiac surgery were assigned to either centrifugal or roller pump bypass. The following variables were studied: haemolysis (haematocrit, free plasma haemoglobin, haptoglobins), platelet activity (platelet counts, Beta-thromboglobulin), leukocyte count, cytokine release (IL-2, IL-6, IL-8), complement activation (C3a and C5a), blood and blood product requirements, urine output on bypass, post-operative blood urea, duration of ventilation, intensive care and hospital stay. Results: Age, weight, disease complexity, duration of bypass, and a number of other variables were comparable in the two groups. The centrifugal pump resulted in lower plasma free haemoglobin (mean±SD, 50±23 vs. 72±35 mg/dl, P