Methodology and cost of cardiopulmonary by-pass for open-heart surgery at the University Hospital of the West Indies: review of a 14-year experience (1968-1982)

ABSTRACT

A 14-year microcomputer-assisted review of cardiopulmonary by-pass at the University Hospital of the West Indies is presented. A total of 436 cardiopulmonary by-pass operations was used for open-heart surgery in 417 patients. The results indicate that the by-pass methodology used was relatively uneventful and easy to manage. The costs of cardiopulmonary by-pass have been low. This procedure which is a necessary adjunct for open-heart surgery at the University Hospital is relatively cheap and safe and its methodology presents no problems in management (AU)