A heart and lung machine, also known as a cardiopulmonary bypass machine, plays an important role during heart surgery. It takes over the function of the heart and lungs temporarily during a wide range of surgical procedures including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), open-heart surgery, heart translation, lung translation, aortic aneurysm repairs and other cardiac-related diseases.
When the heart is stopped temporarily, heart and lung machine provide the critical mechanical circulatory support of the heart and lungs. Since heart and lung machines consist of a wide range of medical equipment such as venous and arterial cannula (tubes), pumps, heat exchanger and oxygenator, it is important to maintain all the equipment in dependable working condition.
Even a minor problem that occurs in any of these equipment can completely collapse the overall operation of the heart and lung machine. For example, if the oxygenator stops functioning for a short span of time, blood will not be oxygenated. Without oxygen-rich blood, vital organs and cells that depend on oxygenated blood will start to die quickly.
Hence, it is important to maintain critical care equipment in good working condition.