Platelet activation in the gyro C1E3 centrifugal pump: comparison with the terumo capiox and the Nikkiso HPM-15.

The Gyro C1E3 was developed as a cardiopulmonary bypass pump incorporating the sealless double pivot bearing system. In this study, we evaluated platelet activation induced by the Gyro C1E3 in vitro and in comparison to that of other centrifugal pumps. Rates of increase (RI) for beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) and platelet factor 4 (PF4) in the Gyro C1E3 were calculated from in vitro data and compared with the rate of increase in the Capiox (Terumo) and HPM-15 (Nikkiso) pumps. Fresh human blood was used, and a flow of 5.0 L/min with a DeltaP (pressure difference between the outlet and inlet of the pump) of 100 mm Hg employed. RI = Deltabeta-TG/DeltaN and DeltaPF4/DeltaN were used where Deltabeta-TG is the increase in beta-TG, DeltaPF4 is the increase in PF4, and DeltaN is the increase in the passing number and where N = Qt/V (t = time, V = priming volume, and Q = flow rate). The mean RI for beta-TG was 0.26 +/- 0. 05 in the Gyro C1E3, 0.20 +/- 0.07 in the Capiox, and 0.15 +/- 0.02 in the HPM-15. The mean RI for PF4 was 0.15 +/- 0.03 in the Gyro C1E3, 0.12 +/- 0.05 in the Capiox, and 0.09 +/- 0.04 in the HPM-15. While there was no difference in RI for beta-TG and PF4 between the Gyro C1E3 and Capiox, RI for beta-TG and PF4 were significantly higher in the Gyro C1E3 than in the HPM-15 (p = 0.006 and 0.029). In vitro evaluation using RI for beta-TG and PF4 showed platelet damage caused by the Gyro C1E3 and the Capiox to be nearly equal while the HPM-15 was less traumatic to platelets than the Gyro C1E3.