The effect of pulsatile flow on renal blood flow during extracorporeal circulation

The present studies indicate that definitive laboratory and specific renal blood flow measurements do not show any marked differences between dogs perfused on total bypass with the roller pump and those perfused in the same system, at the same flow rate, with the Army Artificial Heart Pump. Nevertheless, the pathologic changes definitely indicate that pulsatile flow is much less damaging to the renal architecture than is nonpulsatile flow. This would seem to have a profound effect upon ultimate renal function.