Pulsatile flow during cardiopulmonary bypass speeds thermal energy transfer: a possible explanation for the reduced afterdrop

Abstract

The instantaneous thermal energy balance and rates of thermal energy transfer during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass were measured for a group of patients receiving continuous flow and compared with a group receiving pulsatile flow. Cooling was more rapid and the rate of thermal energy delivery during rewarming significantly greater in the pulsatile flow group despite similar rewarming times. The final thermal energy balance at the end of cardiopulmonary bypass was larger and the period of postoperative hypothermia shorter in those receiving pulsatile flow. The greater rate of thermal energy transfer may explain the reduced afterdrop.