• A P S Thiara, T N Hoel, F Kristiansen, H M Karlsen, A E Fiane, and J L Svennevig.
• Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Rikshospitalet-Radiumhospitalet Medical Center, Oslo, Norway. amrit.thiara@rikshospitalet.no
• Perfusion. 2007 Sep 1;22(5):323-6.

ObjectiveTwo extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) circuits for children under 10 kg were evaluated and compared for plasma leakage, hemolysis, blood transfusions, and durability.MethodsGroup A (n=20) was supported by ECMO circuits with the Minimax oxygenator and the Biomedicus centrifugal pump. Group B (n=10) was supported by ECMO circuits with the Lilliput 2 ECMO oxygenator and the Rotaflow centrifugal pump.ResultsECMO circuit durability, as measured by oxygenator lifespan, was significantly better in Group B than in Group A (p = 0.04). There was significantly lower hemolysis, measured by plasma free hemoglobin, in Group B (p = 0.019), and patients in Group B had significantly less need for antithrombin III transfusion (p = 0.004). No plasma leakage was observed in Group B oxygenators, but plasma leakage was observed in all Group A oxygenators.ConclusionThe combination of a Rotaflow centrifugal pump and Lilliput 2 ECMO oxygenator in pediatric ECMO circuits improved durability and reduced circuit-induced hemolysis. This improvement may be due to the low priming volume, the oxygenator's plasma leakage resistance, the suspended rotor of the centrifugal pump, or a combination of these factors.

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