hjertelungebypass

Hjertelungebypass, also known as cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), is a medical procedure used during surgeries of the heart and major blood vessels. It involves temporarily taking over the function of the heart and lungs, allowing the surgical team to operate on a still, bloodless field. The bypass machine, often referred to as the heart-lung machine, circulates blood throughout the body, oxygenates it, and removes carbon dioxide.

During the procedure, the patient's blood is diverted from the body to the CPB machine via cannulas placed in the major veins. The machine then pumps the blood through an oxygenator, where it exchanges gases, and returns it to the patient's arterial system. This process effectively bypasses the heart and lungs, enabling surgeons to perform complex repairs or replacements without interference from the beating heart or blood flow.

CPB is typically initiated after the patient has been placed on anesthesia and is fully monitored. Once the surgical repair is complete, the bypass machine is gradually weaned off, and the heart is allowed to resume its function. The cannulas are then removed, and the incisions are closed. While CPB is a critical tool for many cardiac surgeries, it carries inherent risks, and its use is carefully considered based on the patient's condition and the nature of the surgery.