• Espeed Khoshbin, Claire Westrope, Suneel Pooboni, David Machin, Hilliary Killer, Giles J Peek, Andrzej W Sosnowski, and Richard K Firmin.
• Division of Cardiac Surgery and Heart Link ECMO Centre, Glenfield University Hospital, Leicester, UK. khoshbinuk@yahoo.co.uk
• Perfusion. 2005 May 1;20(3):129-34.

ObjectiveTo review the performance of polymethyl pentene versus silicone oxygenators in terms of efficiency in priming and oxygenation, oxygenator resistance, requirements for coagulation proteins and consumption of blood products, for neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients.Study DesignForty consecutive neonates were selected retrospectively pre- and post-introduction of the new polymethyl pentene (PMP) oxygenators. They formed two equal groups. After calculation of the sample size, data were collected from ELSO registry forms and patient records. Results were analysed using parametric and non-parametric tests.ResultsNeonatal PMP (N-PMP) oxygenators were smaller, faster and easier to prime. They were less efficient than silicone oxygenators, especially in carbon dioxide elimination, and, therefore, required higher sweeps. The preservation of coagulation proteins was significantly better, but there was no reduction in the consumption of blood products, despite having less than half the surface area and significantly lower blood path resistance.ConclusionSmall PMP oxygenators (Medos Hilite 800 LT) provide adequate gas exchange and offer technical advantages in terms of more efficient priming, reduced haemodynamic resistance and better control and preservation of coagulation proteins than silicone oxygenators.

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