Cardiopulmonary bypass: development of John Gibbon's heart-lung machine

Objective

To provide a brief review of the development of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Methods

A review of the literature on the development of extracorporeal circulationtechniques, their essential role in cardiovascular surgery, and thecomplications associated with their use, including hemolysis andinflammation.

Results

The advancement of extracorporeal circulation techniques has played anessential role in minimizing the complications of cardiopulmonary bypass,which can range from various degrees of tissue injury to multiple organdysfunction syndrome. Investigators have long researched the ways in whichcardiopulmonary bypass may insult the human body. Potential solutions aroseand laid the groundwork for development of safer postoperative carestrategies.

Conclusion

Steady progress has been made in cardiopulmonary bypass in the decades sinceit was first conceived of by Gibbon. Despite the constant evolution ofcardiopulmonary bypass techniques and attempts to minimize theircomplications, it is still essential that clinicians respect theparticularities of each patient''s physiological function.