A minimal priming technique that allows for a higher circulating hemoglobin on cardiopulmonary bypass.
Cromer MJ, Wolk DR.
St Joseph's Hospital of Atlanta, Georgia 30342, USA.
Reduction in circuit prime during cardiopulmonary bypass has benefits for the patient with a low body surface area, anemia, patient refusal to receive blood products, and aids the practitioner's goal to minimize exposure to blood products. Described here is a simple, low-cost technique that has been shown to decrease priming volume in any bypass circuit and allow a significant increase in 'on bypass hemoglobin'.
PMID: 9778714 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]