Pathophysiology and Complications during Extracorporeal Circulation

Extracorporeal circulation, unlike pulsatile flow based on the beating heart, is the non-pulsatile flow through a blood pump, and the systemic circulation falls into non-physiological conditions. The living body shows various reactions to extracorporeal circulation. The pathophysiology of extracorporeal circulation includes changes in hemodynamics, coagulation, fibrinolysis, acid-base equilibrium, electrolytes, incretion, metabolism, and immune system. With advances in extracorporeal circulation technology, operability has been dramatically improved and safety has rapidly advanced as well. However, there are specific complications with extracorporeal circulation. We need to have a good knowledge of the pathophysiology and complications during extracorporeal circulation, as well as each component of the extracorporeal circulation system.