T. Benedict et al.: J Extra Corpor Technol 2026, 58, 65--72 67
Figure 1. Circuit design.
then clamped off, and the 6-foot venous line was drained into the venous reservoir. With the venous line now devoid of fluid, the prime volume from the venous line was directed into an empty bag, ensuring that the fluid level in the reservoir matched the starting level of the control trials( 300 mL). This procedure was carried out for every trial apart from the control trials. The other two setups with the dry venous lines were distinct by their starting VAVD pressures: �20 mmHg and �40mmHginthe venous reservoir.
Procedures
For this study, the Medtronic venous reservoir was mounted above the circuit and Y’ d into the 6-foot venous line to simulate patient volume entering the circuit. This will be referred to as the“ patient reservoir.” In the study trials, there were two separate initiation techniques. One called“ Instant Initiation” where the arterial and venous lines were unclamped and the arterial pump head was turned on before the venous line was filled, keeping the reservoir level between 200 and 300 mL. This technique was also used for control trials. The second technique is called“ Delayed Initiation,” where the venous line was unclamped first, the venous line was filled with volume from the“ patient” reservoir until the level rose to 400 mL, then the arterial line was unclamped and the arterial pump head was started. The Medtronic“ patient reservoir” contained 1 L of volume for all trials. The oxygenator purge remained closed during all trials, and the manifold line was opened during every