Reduced amount of gaseous microemboli in the arterial line of minimized extracorporeal circulation systems compared with conventional extracorporeal circulation

摘要

We would like to refer to the recently published article by Aboud et al. [1] regarding negative venous line pressures and increased arterial air bubble count during minimized extracorporeal circulation (MECC). We think that there are several flaws in this paper. Recent studies have mainly focussed on gaseous microemboli (GME). Approaches are manifold, using arterial line filters, or additionally, venous bubble traps (VBTs) [2]. Roosenhoff et al. [3] showed a significant reduction of GMEs after the VBT. Kutschka et al. [4] showed a nearly complete reduction of GME post-arterial line filter. Perthel et al. [5] proved the relationship between reduced GME in the arterial line of MECC and a decreased emboli rate, demonstrated by transcranial ultrasound. In clinical terms, Anastasiadis et al. [6] proved that patients operated on MECC showed a clearly better postoperative neurocognitive course.