Comparative Assessment of Membrane Oxygenator Efficiency: Pressure Drop and Oxygenation Performance during Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Objectives: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is a crucial technique in cardiac surgery, providing temporary support for the heart and lungs during complex procedures. The membrane oxygenator, a key component of the CPB system, uses microporous fibers to facilitate gas exchange. This study aims to analyze and equate the performance of two oxygenators – Nipro (Vital) and Sorin (Inspire) – by assessing pressure drop across the membrane and oxygenation efficiency. Material and Methods: This observational study was prospectively conducted at Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, involving 50 patients who underwent CPB. Patients were assigned to either the Nipro (Vital) or Sorin (Inspire) oxygenator. Key parameters, including pressure drops across the membranes and oxygenation efficiency (partial pressure of oxygen [PaO₂] and partial pressure of carbon dioxide), were recorded. Data interpretation was performed using an unpaired t-test, with a significance level set at P < 0.05. Results: The research included 25 patients in each group, with an average age of 59.73 ± 10.67 years for Group N and 54.13 ± 12.63 years for Group S (P = 0.2). No significant differences were found in pressure drops across the membranes at flow 0, flow 1, and flow 2 (P > 0.05). In addition, comparable results in blood flow, fraction of inspired oxygen, and PaO₂ were observed between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: This study highlighted no significant differences between the Nipro (Vital) and Sorin (Inspire) oxygenators in terms of pressure drop and oxygenation efficiency, suggesting that both oxygenators perform similarly in maintaining stable blood gases during CPB.