Clinical relevance of cardiotomy blood salvage during cardiopulmonary bypass

INTERVENTION: The control group receives the current practice of cardiotomy blood re‐infusion during the operation. The experimental group is re‐infused with centrifugally washed blood, which is passed through an additional lipid/leukocyte filter. Trial details received: 12 Sept 2005 CONDITION: Coronary Artery Disease ‐ Cardiopulmonary bypass ; Circulatory System ; Chronic ischaemic heart disease PRIMARY OUTCOME: 1. The proportion of patients requiring one or more red cell transfusions during hospital stay; 2. Incidence of cognitive deficits at 5 ‐ 7 days SECONDARY OUTCOME: 1. Blood loss (protamine administration to chest closure and first 24 hours); ; Within 3 ‐ 5 days after surgery: ; 2. Total non‐red cell transfusion requirements (blood factors, platelets); 3. Pulmonary function after CPB (pulmonary vascular resistance, A‐a gradient, pO2 after CPB, shunt, dynamic pulmonary compliance, oxygen delivery index, oxygen extraction rate); 4. Incidence of emboli during CPB by trans‐cranial Doppler (TCD); 5. Quality of life at 3 months; 6. Cognitive deficits at 3 months INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Adult patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting requiring CPB 2. Aged greater than or equal to 18 years old, either sex