Some Haematological Observations in Cardiopulmonary Bypass at Normothermia Using the Melrose Oxygenator

The haemostatic defect following extracorporeal circulation

“…Evidence is accumulating, though still incomplete, that inadequate heparinization may be a greater hazard than an excess of heparin (Cumming, Davies, Kamel, Mackenzie, Masson, and Wade, 1964). The reports of improvement in fibrinogen levels, decrease in fibrinolytic activity, and control of bleeding, following administration of heparin to patients with haemostatic failurc due to intravascular coagulation, also, by analogy, lend support to the view that inadequate heparinization during by-pass may be dangerous (von Francken, Johansson, Olsson, and Zetterqvist, 1963 ;Verstraete, Amery, Vermylen, and Robyn, 1963).…”

Changes in the fibrinolytic system components during extracorporeal circulation.

“…rotating disc oxygenator, has previously been described (MacKenzie, Davies, Masson, and Wade, 1963) and also the heparinization and reversal of anticoagulation procedures (Cumming, Davies, Kamel, MacKenzie, Masson, and Wade, 1964). Specimens were taken as possible (1) before anaesthesia, (2) a few minutes before bypass, (3) a few minutes after commencing bypass, (4) at the end of bypass, (5) a few minutes after reversal of the anticoagulation, and (6) 30 minutes later.…”