A reusable training circuit for cardiopulmonary bypass.

At the turn of the millennium, perfusion teaching programs are faced with significant difficulties. The number of students in pediatric perfusion training has increased, and more importantly, the number of pediatric open-heart procedures has decreased because of a variety of reasons. Hence, they could barely satisfy the minimum requirements of pediatric cases established by the teaching programs. The idea of "a teaching circuit" that could reproduce and simulate cardiopulmonary bypass was designed. The trainee is able to manipulate the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit according to patient responses, to perform perfusion related-maneuvers in establishing and maintaining hemodynamic stability. The aim of this study was to simulate a patient on CPB, maintain stability during varying clinical situations, and then to wean the patient off CPB. The equipment used was reusable and nonsterile.