Heart lung bypass, also known as cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), is a medical technique used during open-heart surgery to temporarily take over the functions of the heart and lungs. It involves diverting blood away from the heart and lungs, allowing the surgical team to work on the heart in a bloodless field.
During heart lung bypass, a machine called a heart-lung bypass machine or a cardiopulmonary bypass machine is used. This machine consists of a pump and an oxygenator. The pump circulates the blood, replacing the function of the heart, while the oxygenator adds oxygen to the blood and removes carbon dioxide, performing the role of the lungs.
The process begins by inserting tubes into the patient's blood vessels, diverting blood from the heart into the machine. The blood is then oxygenated, filtered, and pumped back into the patient's body, bypassing the heart and lungs. By eliminating the need for the heart and lungs to function during surgery, the surgical team can perform complex procedures on the heart, such as coronary artery bypass grafting or valve repair/replacement.
The benefits of heart lung bypass include improved surgical precision, reduced bleeding, and decreased risk of damage to vital organs. However, it also carries its own risks, such as blood clot formation, inflammation, and organ dysfunction. Close monitoring and expert management of the heart lung bypass process are critical to ensure the patient's safety and successful surgery outcome.
