Hjärtlungmaskiner

Hjärtlungmaskiner, often referred to as cardiopulmonary bypass machines, are medical devices that temporarily assume the function of a patient's heart and lungs during open-heart surgery. They are essential for procedures where the heart needs to be stopped, allowing surgeons to operate on a still, bloodless field.

The primary function of a hjärtlungmaskin is to circulate blood throughout the patient's body, delivering oxygen and removing carbon dioxide. Blood is diverted from the body into the machine, where it is pumped through an oxygenator that mimics the lungs' gas exchange function. The oxygenated blood is then returned to the patient's arterial system.

The machine typically consists of a pump, an oxygenator, reservoirs for blood, and various tubing and monitoring equipment. The pump propels the blood, while the oxygenator adds oxygen and removes carbon dioxide. Temperature regulation is also a crucial aspect, as the machine can cool or warm the blood to control the patient's body temperature during surgery, which can help protect organs.

The use of hjärtlungmaskiner requires a highly skilled perfusionist, a healthcare professional trained to operate and manage the device. They continuously monitor the patient's physiological status, adjust the machine's settings, and ensure the safe and effective diversion of blood flow. The hjärtlungmaskin is connected to the patient via cannulas inserted into major blood vessels. Once the surgery is complete and the heart and lungs are functioning again, the machine is gradually weaned off.