Arterial Filter Bypass Loop: What Occurs in this Area during Cardiopulmonary Bypass and Are There Potential Patient Implications
The arterial filter is an integral part of bypass circuitry. When introduced, manufacturers suggested a bypass loop for retrograde priming and de-airing, and for uninterrupted blood flow in case of malfunction. Practice has shown antegrade priming and de-airing is possible. This questions the necessity of the loop and presents the question—what occurs in the loop during bypass?
