A step forward in the field of technological evolution has been made at the Cardiac Surgery Unit, directed by Prof. Pasquale Mastroroberto, of the “Renato Dulbecco” University Hospital of Catanzaro, where for a few months mini extracorporeal circulation (MECC) has also been used during cardiac surgery. This is a cutting-edge technology that opens new perspectives for the safety and quality of care in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) thanks to “heart-lung” machine allows blood circulation in the body to be guaranteed when the heart muscle is stopped to perform cardiac surgery. Its use does not pose risks to the heart, but can lead to a generalized inflammatory response due to the mechanical stress suffered by the blood and its contact with non-biological material within the circuit.
The mini extracorporeal circulation (MECC) is an evolution of the traditional heart-lung machine, used for decades in cardiac surgery and, unlike conventional systems, is characterized by a more compact, closed and biocompatible circuit, designed to minimize the impact on the patient’s body.
This technology represents an important innovation because it involves fewer risks for the patient compared to conventional CEC by reducing inflammation, excessive dilution of the blood with the use of replacement fluids and the consumption of blood products, therefore with advantages in terms of saving blood in cardiac surgery patients.
The MECC technique is particularly suitable especially in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization surgery (aorto-coronary bypass), a type of surgery for which the Cardiac Surgery of the AOU “R. Dulbecco” of Catanzaro has been indicated by the National Agency for Regional Health Services (Age.na.s.) among the top ten in Italy for volumes and outcomes. On the basis of these data, a program was started for the frequent use of this very useful technique in so-called “fragile” patients with satisfactory results especially in terms of post-operative complications.
This minimally invasive technology is currently used continuously only in 5 Italian Cardiac Surgery Centers and requires a synergy between surgeons, extracorporeal circulation technicians and anesthetists, a synergy that finds full correspondence in the daily activities at the Cardiac Surgery Center of the “Mater Domini” Presidium in Germaneto.
The possibility of an increasingly extensive use of minimally invasive techniques and therefore also of a minimally invasive CEC is increasingly reflected in Cardiac Surgery for which this technological advancement is certainly of great importance as it offers the entire population of the Calabria Region the possibility of being able to take advantage of the same advanced therapeutic opportunities of the major national and international centers.