Glossary
ACT – Activated Clotting Time
A test that measures how many seconds it takes for the blood to clot.
ARDS – Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Lung function is partly or completely affected. Oxygenation is nearly or completely impossible whereas carbon dioxide removal is mostly unaffected. Three quarters of all ARDS cases can be attributed to sepsis, multiple trauma, pneumonia and aspiration.
BIOLINE Coating
A heparin coating which gives the disposables system blood contact surfaces optimal biocompatibility.
Cannulae (Catheters)
Tubes that the surgeon places into the blood vessels. These tubes carry the blood from the patient to the ECLS system and return it to the patient.
Cannulate
To place the cannula into the blood vessel.
CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
De-cannulate
To remove the cannula from the blood vessel.
DEHP – Diethylexyl-Phthalate
Diethylexyl-phthalate is a plasticizer that is often used in PVC tubes to make them soft and flexible. DEHP can be released out of the PVC by solutions containing lipids. Animal studies have shown that exposure to DEHP reduces male fertility. The use of DEHP-free tubes is recommended for long-term blood contact applications.
Flow
The amount of blood that moves through the circuit normally expressed as liters (l/min) or milliliters (ml/min) per minute.
ECC
Extracorporeal circuit or extracorporeal circulation.
ECLS Pump
The pump that controls the blood flow. This pump acts like an artificial heart.
ECLS
Extracorporeal life support.
Femoral Cannulation
Inserting a cannula into the femoral vessels in the groin.
FR
French is used to measure the outer diameter of cannulae. The diameter in millimeters of the cannula can be determined by dividing the French size by 3, thus an increasing French size corresponds with a larger diameter cannula.
MECC System
The minimized extracorporeal circulation system is a minimalist set of disposables consisting of the QUADROX D oxygenator, the ROTAFLOW centrifugal pump and BIOLINE coated tubes. With separated cardiotomy suction, elimination of the venous reservoir and significantly reduced priming volume, MECC improves patient outcome after on-pump CABG.
MOF
Multi organ failure – sequential failure of organs, e.g., due to sepsis, shock, trauma, intoxications, etc.
Percutaneous Cannulation
Placing the cannula into a vessel without a surgical incision.
PTCA (PCI)
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, (also known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)), is a therapeutic procedure to treat the stenotic (narrowed) coronary arteries of the heart found in coronary artery disease. These stenotic segments are due to the build up of cholesterol-laden plaques formed due to atherosclerosis. PTCA is usually performed by an interventional cardiologist.
Protective Ventilation
Since the results of the ARDSNet study were published in 2000, the concept of protective ventilation has become the goal of ventilation therapy in most ICU’s. Protective ventilation focuses on a certain tidal volume (2,72ml/lb ideal body weight) within the limits of a certain maximum airway pressure and respiratory rate. In most ALI / ARDS cases, these ventilation limits cause higher than normal CO2 levels that can be accepted in many situations (concept of permissive “hypercapnia”). However, in some cases protective ventilation targets cannot be met because complications (e.g., acidosis, pulmonary hypertension) occur or the care team feels uncomfortable with extremely high CO2 values. Some patients need low to normal CO2 levels to protect the brain. Extracorporeal CO2 elimination allows the reduction of lung ventilation to a protective level and has been proposed for several years.
Pump-Assisted Lung Protection (PALP)
PALP with CARDIOHELP allows clinicians to maintain protective ventilation, even in severe cases of ARDS, by eliminating CO2.
SEPSIS – Septic Shock Syndrome
Sepsis is a serious medical condition characterized by whole body inflammation caused by infection. It is also known as blood poisoning. Due to overwhelming infection or inflammation, sepsis can cause circulatory failure and subsequent hypoxia.
Seldinger Technique
The Seldinger technique is a medical procedure to obtain safe access to blood vessels. The desired vessel is punctured with a sharp hollow needle called a trocar, with ultrasound guidance if necessary. A round-tipped guide wire is then advanced through the lumen of the trocar, which is then withdrawn. A blunt cannula can now be passed over the guide wire into the vessel. As soon as the cannula is introduced, the guide wire is withdrawn.
Veno-Arterial support
This is the type of support that provides both heart and lung support.
Veno-Venous support
This type of support that provides lung support only.
VSD – Ventricular Septal Defect
Acute left-to-right-shunt after myocardial infarction of the septum. Subsequent tissue necrosis leads to a substantial defect. This shunt can be closed surgically after strong scar tissue has developed in roughly 7–10 days.
