Key result
Ultrasound bubble counters miscalculate bubble size and detect only ~3% of bubbles at high flows.
Why the study?
Measurement of gaseous microemboli during cardiopulmonary bypass is challenging due to blood opacity and microparticles, and new microbubble counters require validation.
The Gampt BC200 and EDAC quantifier microbubble counters have significant limitations in accuracy and counting at high flows, warranting caution when correlating their data with neurocognitive outcomes.
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May enable GME monitoring during CPB; leaves open impact on neurocognitive outcomes.
Somer et al. (2010) studied Gaseous microemboli during cardiopulmonary bypass. Gampt BC200 and EDAC quantifier vs. Industrial reference techniques (backlight shadowgraphy and optical counting) was evaluated on Accuracy of bubble diameter and counts at various flows. The EDAC quantifier underestimated average bubble diameter by 13-71%, while the Gampt BC200 overestimated it by up to 295% at extreme flows, and both devices counted only 3% of bubbles at 6 L/min.
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