The Quantum oxygenator with a small membrane surface area of 1.9 m 2 has also the highest oxygen transfer per square meter. A direct relation between shunt fraction and blood flow could not be established in all oxygenators. Large differences exist in pressure drop between the oxygenators under standardised conditions with circulating priming, as well as during bypass. The lowest pressure drop was noticed in Quadrox and Affinity NT, the highest in Quantum, Capiox and Optima. However, we did not measure any differences in pressure drop after cooling and during re-warming.
Differences exist between the heat exchanger performances.
The Quadrox oxygenator is the most efficient while the Maxima has the smallest performance factor. It was not possible to calculate heat exchanger performance for the Hilite due to incorrect temperature measurement. The high pressure gradients in some of the devices did not result in higher hemolysis. Plasma free haemoglobin values were low in each oxygenator. There are no differences in platelet drop postoperatively.