ACOUSTOPHORETIC TRANSFUSION TO REDUCE EMBOLIZATION IN CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Retransfusion of a patient's shed blood during cardiopulmonary bypass is attractive since it reduces the need for allogeneic transfusion, minimizes cost, and decreases transfusion related morbidity. Heterologous transfusions are linked to increased long term mortality after cardiac surgery. However, brain damage after cardiac surgery with retransfusion of shed blood is a significant cause of morbidity, including post-operative, short-term and long-term cognitive dysfunction, and mortality. Among the preoperative and postoperative factors that have a significant correlation with stroke are diabetes, hypertension, and recent myocardial infarction. It is well-documented that these factors are more prevalent in minorities. Evidence suggests that lipid microembolisms associated with the retransfusion of the shed blood are the predominant causes of the neurocognitive disorders. Traditional techniques to remove the lipids from the shed blood include screens and centrifugatio