This prospective randomized multicenter study reported that minimized perfusion circuit (MPC) is associated with a lower transfusion rate and and a lower incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation in comparison to conventional cardiopulmonary bypass (CCP). The difference in transfusion requirement does not appear to be related to higher blood loss but rather to a more profound degree of hemodilution in the CCP group. Freedom from major adverse events was not different between groups. The study has not the power required to draw definite conclusions about the safety of MPC devices.
– Philippe Van der Linden