D-901 neonatal oxygenator: a new perspective

Abstract

Five infants with congenital heart disease were perfused with the D-901 neonatal oxygenator at the time of their cardiac surgery. The ability to reduce the prime volume below the blood volume as well as the blood handling and gas transfer characteristics were studied. In all cases the prime volume was less than or equal to the blood volume of the patient. This resulted in a reduction in the use of homologous blood products. Due to the concept of the D-901 it was possible to adapt the tubing in such a way that a complete prime of 220 ml was obtained. The device had a maximum oxygen transfer of 45 ml/min. The maximum carbon dioxide removal was 50 ml/min at a blood gas ratio of one. The mean platelet count post bypass decreased to 91% of the baseline value. Mean free haemoglobin levels increased to 86 mg/100 ml at 120 minutes of bypass. We conclude that the D-901 oxygenator opens new perspectives for perfusion in small babies in terms of priming volume and use of homologous blood products while maintaining good gas transfer characteristics. However, larger series are necessary to expand our experience with this device and its limitations. No specific problems related to the device were encountered and all infants had an uneventful postoperative course.