Circulatory support for repair of cerebral aneurysms using heparin-bonded bypass circuits and low-dose heparin

Modern advances in neurosurgical technique and improvements in cardiopulmonary bypass technology have facilitated a renewed interest in the ligation of giant cerebral aneurysms utilizing deep hypothermia and low-flow conditions. The widespread introduction of biocompatible heparin-bonded bypass circuits presents perfusionists with the opportunity to curtail sharply the need for heparin and protamine in these patients. We briefly discuss the merits of this procedure and describe our clinical experience.