hjärtlungsmaskin

A hjärtlungsmaskin, often referred to as a heart-lung machine or cardiopulmonary bypass machine, is a crucial medical device used during open-heart surgery. Its primary function is to temporarily take over the work of the heart and lungs, allowing the surgical team to operate on a still, bloodless heart. The machine circulates the patient's blood outside the body, replenishes it with oxygen, removes carbon dioxide, and then returns it to the body, maintaining vital circulation and oxygenation.

The process involves cannulation, where tubes are inserted into major blood vessels to divert blood flow to the machine. The blood then passes through an oxygenator, which acts as an artificial lung, facilitating gas exchange. A pump within the machine drives the blood, mimicking the heart's pumping action. Throughout the procedure, the machine's parameters are closely monitored and adjusted by a specialized perfusionist to ensure the patient's physiological stability. Once the surgical repair is complete and the heart is functioning adequately, the machine is gradually weaned off, and blood flow is restored to its natural path. The hjärtlungsmaskin is an indispensable technology that has revolutionized cardiac surgery, enabling complex procedures that would otherwise be impossible.