Less blood damage in the impeller centrifugal pump: a comparative study with the roller pump in open heart surgery

A centrifugal pump with an impeller (Nikkiso Centrifugal Pump, Model HPM15; Nikkiso Co. Ltd.) was applied to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in 14 patients who underwent elective coronary artery bypass grafting. Serum hemoglobin level, platelet count, and serum beta-thromboglobulin (beta TG) level were measured during CPB. The results were compared with those obtained in a comparative roller pump (RP) group (n = 10). There was no difference in the time on CPB between the NP (109 min) and RP (121 min) groups. The serum beta TG level (ng/ml) was lower in the NP group than in the RP group (obtained 90 min after the initiation of CPB). The plasma-free hemoglobin level also was lower in the NP group than in the RP group (obtained 90 min after the initiation of CPB, 120 min after the initiation of CPB, immediately after the termination of CPB, 3 h after termination of CPB; p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in platelet depletion. The HPM15 pump showed excellent hemodynamic performance with less blood trauma compared with the roller pump in its clinical application to open heart surgery.