eli5: Why do Heart-Lungs bypass machine can’t keep someone alive for more than days?
In: 155
Being on a heart-lung bypass machine is very invasive and stressful on the body. Lots of things can go wrong, and the longer on are on it the greater the risk of severe injury or death
The main risks associated with it are bleeding out in part due to being on blood thinners.
Blood clots which can lead to strokes and death
Air embolism meaning that air bubbles get into your bloodstream
Inflammation throughout your body
Brain injury, lung injury, Kidney injury or kidney failure, Multi-organ failure, and Pancreatitis due to lower heart and lung function, blood clots, and inflammation.
Ideally a person should only be on such a machine for a few hours during surgery, but sometimes longer is required due to waiting on organs for transplant etc. But the longer you are on the machine the lower your chances of survival.
Latest Answers