Quick Reference: Centrifugal Pump Failure
- Clamp the arterial and venous lines (to prevent reverse flow and exsanguination of patient).
- Notify surgeon and anesthesiologist.
- Start timer and seek additional assistance, if available.
- Check circuitry for integrity.
- Uncover drapes to make sure there are no obstructions.
- Check for misplaced clamps.
- Check arterial line pressure.
- Check differential pressure monitoring across oxygenator membrane, pre and post. If oxygenator transmembrane pressure gradient > 100mmHg consider oxygenator replacement.
- Have surgeon check arterial cannula placement.
- Check centrifugal pump head.
- Switch off the centrifugal console.
- Connect firmly the inlet tube to the middle inlet and the outlet tube to the side outlet of the centrifugal pump.
- Apply contact gel on of the centrifugal pump outlet if needed.
- Insert the Centrifugal Pump into the Drive motor.
- Lock head and turn pump on back on.
- Attempt to reinitiate CPB.
- If unable to initiate CPB, initiate manual hand crank.
- Replace centrifugal pump console with backup.
- If it is possible to do so, (depending on stage of surgery) consider suspending the operation until the issue can be resolved per Surgeon and Anesthesiologist.
- Attempt to reinitiate CPB.
- If unable to initiate CPB, continue with manual hand crank.
- Following the perfusionist’s overall assessment of the situation, do one of the following:
- Change centrifugal head to roller pump.
- Replace entire CPB pump and circuit.
- Attempt to reinitiate CPB.
- Correct blood chemistry.
