Perfusion
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In this study, a patient simulator was designed and fabricated to train students to respond to various clinical situations associated with heart-lung bypass machine operation and to respond to changes in patient clinical parameters. The students will use the simulator to gain pre-clinical experience. The training system will initially simulate normal heart-lung bypass conditions. ⋯ Some of these problems are stopping of rotation of one of the roller pump heads, abnormal changes in the vital parameters, such as oxygenation level or biochemical values, high blood pressure, and occlusion in arterial or venous lines. The simulator will train students to respond properly to these situations, hence, allowing them to gain clinical experience without impacting patient safety and the outcome of real life procedures. The simulator can also be used for assessment of the students' competency levels.
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Previously, it was noted that changing the solutions used for priming and intravascular volume replacement from Hartmann's to Ringer's resulted in a more profound metabolic acidosis developing during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The aim of this study was to examine the effects of changing the solutions back to Hartmann's on metabolic acidosis that develops during CPB in patients undergoing heart surgery. ⋯ Changing the solutions used for priming and intravascular volume replacement from Ringer's to Hartmann's was associated with a reduction in metabolic acidosis that developed during CPB.