Introduction: In the last decade, dual-lumen cannulae have been increasingly applied in patients undergoing extracorporeal life support. Well-performing vascular access is crucial for efficient extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support; thus, guidance for proper cannulae size is required. Pressure–flow charts provided by manufacturers are often based on tests performed using water, rarely blood. However, blood is a shear-thinning and viscoelastic fluid characterized by different flow properties than water. Methods: We performed a study evaluating pressure–flow curves during standardized conditions using human whole blood in two commonly available dual-lumen cannulae used in neonates, pediatric, and adult patients. Results were merged and compared with the manufacturer’s corresponding curves obtained from the public domain. Results: The results showed that using blood as compared with water predominantly influenced drainage flow. A 10-80% higher pressure-drop was needed to obtain same drainage flow (hematocrit of 26%) compared with manufacturer’s water charts in 13-31 Fr bi-caval dual-lumen cannulae. The same net difference was found in cavo-atrial cannulae (16-32 Fr), where a lower drainage pressure was required (Hct of 26%) compared with the manufacturer’s test using blood with an Hct of 33%. Return pressure–flow data were similar, independent whether pumping blood or water, to the data reported by manufacturers. Conclusion: Non-standardized testing of pressure–flow properties of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation dual-lumen cannulae prevents an adequate prediction of pressure–flow results when these cannulae are used in patients. Properties of dual-lumen cannulae may vary between sizes within same cannula family, in particular concerning the drainage flow.

Pressure and flow properties of dual-lumen cannulae for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Pappalardo F.;
2020-01-01

Abstract

Introduction: In the last decade, dual-lumen cannulae have been increasingly applied in patients undergoing extracorporeal life support. Well-performing vascular access is crucial for efficient extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support; thus, guidance for proper cannulae size is required. Pressure–flow charts provided by manufacturers are often based on tests performed using water, rarely blood. However, blood is a shear-thinning and viscoelastic fluid characterized by different flow properties than water. Methods: We performed a study evaluating pressure–flow curves during standardized conditions using human whole blood in two commonly available dual-lumen cannulae used in neonates, pediatric, and adult patients. Results were merged and compared with the manufacturer’s corresponding curves obtained from the public domain. Results: The results showed that using blood as compared with water predominantly influenced drainage flow. A 10-80% higher pressure-drop was needed to obtain same drainage flow (hematocrit of 26%) compared with manufacturer’s water charts in 13-31 Fr bi-caval dual-lumen cannulae. The same net difference was found in cavo-atrial cannulae (16-32 Fr), where a lower drainage pressure was required (Hct of 26%) compared with the manufacturer’s test using blood with an Hct of 33%. Return pressure–flow data were similar, independent whether pumping blood or water, to the data reported by manufacturers. Conclusion: Non-standardized testing of pressure–flow properties of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation dual-lumen cannulae prevents an adequate prediction of pressure–flow results when these cannulae are used in patients. Properties of dual-lumen cannulae may vary between sizes within same cannula family, in particular concerning the drainage flow.
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11387/183851
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 4
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact