Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract:
Coronary artery bypass surgery can be performed without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Bleeding obscuring the operative field and hemodilution of shed blood with irrigating saline are some of the drawbacks of this technique. We report the use of a newly developed surgical blower-humidifier (custom made [Research Medical, Inc.]) for improved visualization and facilitation of coronary artery surgery without CPB.