Figure 4.

Hypothesized behavior of GME in the oxygenation chamber during HAR. (A) When the circuit is not primed, it is full of air. (B) After crystalloid priming, a certain amount of bubbles remains adhered to the low-flow areas of the oxygenator. (C) When the arterial line is clamped and flow is initiated with the recirculation line open, internal pressure in the oxygenation chamber raises, and some bubbles are diverted to the collector bag. (D) Blood entrance to the oxygenator represents an increase in density that enhances the elimination of bubbles to the collector bag and reduces the embolic load delivered to the patient during CPB initiation is reduced.