Handling ability of gaseous microemboli of two pediatric arterial filters in a simulated CPB model

Objective: The purpose of this experiment was to compare the Sorin KIDS D131 and the Terumo Capiox AF02 pediatric arterial filters in a simulated CPB procedure to determine which filter is the better for clinical use. Methods: The experimental circuit was primed with an 800 ml combination of lactated Ringer's solution and human blood (hematocrit (Hct) 30%). The two filters were tested under flow rates of 500, 1000, and 1500 ml/min at room temperature and their purge lines opened and closed as 5cc of air was injected into the circuit. Results: As the flow rates increased, the number of gaseous microemboli (GME) being returned to the pseudo patient increased for both of the pediatric arterial filters. Having an open purge line increased the number of GME removed from the CPB circuit, caused less of a pressure drop than when closed and increased the total hemodynamic energy loss than when closed. Both of the filters performed and reacted similarly in decreasing GME, hemodynamic energy loss and pressure drop. The only minor difference was that the Capiox AF02 had slightly less stolen blood flow (109.5 +/- 1.7 ml/min at 500 ml/min, 114.7 +/- 1.1 ml/min at 1000 ml/min and 105.8 +/- 4.2 ml/min at 1500 ml/min) from the open purge line than the KIDS D131 (119.5 +/- 2.5 ml/min at 500 ml/min, 128.3 +/- 1.0 ml/min at 1000 ml/min and 126.3 +/- 3.1 ml/min at 1500 ml/min). Conclusion: Our study confirmed that both the Sorin KIDS D131 and the Terumo Capiox AF02 were equivalent in their ability to remove significant numbers of GME, the amount of pressure drop and the total hemodynamic energy loss across the arterial filters at the various flow rates. An arterial filter is not an option, but a necessity for removing microemboli delivered to the patient.