Lastly, here is a warning for those attempting to expand the envelope of survival by deliberately placing patients who are essentially dead (based on the AHA and PALS guidelines) on extracorporeal support. We need to be reminded of a story we are all familiar with. The Baron’s vision was to help mankind and bring light “into our dark world”. Instead his “powerful engine” created a brain damaged monster.
As we use our powerful engines (ECPR pumps) to retrieve patients from the brink of death, we do not want to create any brain damaged monsters. That is why it is vital that we understand the nature of reperfusion injury and address it with an effective strategy that leaves patients intact, both in mind and in body.
Perfusion Theory is an educational platform for the Oxygen Pressure Field Theory (OPFT). August Krogh’s theoretical concept of the oxygen pressure field is explained and then applied to clinical applications in perfusion practice.