Effect of pulsatile perfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass in terms of radial artery sphygmogram

OBJECTIVE: To investigate a quantitative method for using radial artery pulse waveforms to assess the effect of pulsatile flow during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). METHODS: A total of 34 adults with heart disease who underwent open-heart surgery between April 2010 and January 2011 were randomized into a pulsatile perfusion group (n=17) and a non-pulsatile perfusion group (n=17). Radial arterial pulse waveforms of pulsatile and non-pulsatile perfusion patients were observed and compared before and during CPB. RESULTS: No pulse waveform could be detected at patients' radial artery in both groups when the aorta was cross-clamped. Pulse waveforms could be detected at pulsatile perfusion patients' radial artery, but could not be detected at non-pulsatile perfusion patients' radial artery during CPB. Additionally, patients' pulse waveforms during pulsatile perfusion were lower than those before the operation. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that radial artery sphygmogram can be used as a valid indicator to evaluate the effectiveness of pulsatile perfusion during CPB. (C) 2014 JTCM. All rights reserved.