Extracorporeal circulation refers to a procedure where blood is diverted from the body to a machine that performs the functions of the heart and lungs. The word "Extracorporeal" is pronounced as [ɛkstrəkɔrˈpiɔrəl], with the stress on the third syllable. The word is broken down into four syllables - "ex", "tra", "cor", and "po" - with the first syllable pronounced as [ɛks] and the other syllables pronounced as [trə], [ˈkɔr], and [ˈpo] respectively. The spelling of this word is complex and requires careful pronunciation to ensure accuracy.
Extracorporeal circulation refers to a medical procedure that involves temporarily diverting a patient's blood flow outside of their body during a surgical procedure. This technique is used to facilitate complex surgeries where the heart or lungs need to be bypassed to maintain blood circulation and oxygenation.
During extracorporeal circulation, the patient's blood is rerouted through a machine called a heart-lung machine or bypass machine, which performs the functions of the heart and lungs. The machine pumps the blood, removes carbon dioxide, and adds oxygen before returning it to the patient's body. This temporary interruption of normal blood flow allows surgeons to operate on the heart, major blood vessels, or other vital organs without causing harm to the patient.
Extracorporeal circulation is commonly employed during open-heart surgeries, such as coronary artery bypass grafting or heart valve replacement. It enables surgeons to perform intricate procedures while the heart is still, reducing the risk of complications and allowing for better visualization of the surgical site.
Although extracorporeal circulation is generally safe and effective, it is not without risks. Potential complications include blood clot formation, bleeding, damage to blood cells, and adverse reactions to foreign substances used in the bypass machine. Skilled healthcare professionals closely monitor the patient's condition throughout the procedure to ensure its successful completion and minimize any associated risks.
In summary, extracorporeal circulation involves temporarily redirecting a patient's blood flow outside of their body to maintain vital functions during complex surgeries, allowing surgeons to safely perform procedures on the heart and other essential organs.
The word "extracorporeal" is composed of two Latin roots: "extra", meaning "outside" or "beyond", and "corpus", meaning "body". Together, they refer to something occurring outside or beyond the body.
The word "circulation" comes from the Latin word "circulatio", which means "movement in a circular path" or "flow". In medical terminology, "circulation" generally refers to the movement of blood through the body.
When combined, "extracorporeal circulation" literally means "circulation occurring outside the body". In medical contexts, it specifically refers to a technique used in cardiac surgery where the blood is diverted outside the body through a heart-lung machine to support circulation and oxygenation while the heart is stopped for surgery.