Intensive care medicine

Surgery

Pediatrics

Exchange transfusion

Blood transfusion

Medicine

Archives of Disease in Childhood

presented a technique of exchange transfusion based on the use of a Holter infusion pump with two channels connected to umbilical vein and artery.In 1971 we (Garofalo, Minerva, and Baltieri, 1971) described a method of exchange trans- fusion by means of Holter microinfusion rolling pump; this method was considered by us as a further modifi- cation of exchange transfusion 'by continuous drip' suggested by Valentine (1962, 1966) and, in Italy, by Cavalieri (1963), Cavalieri, Garofalo, and Mastella (1963), and Cavalieri, Mastella, and Battaglino (1967).In our paper we suggested connecting one circuit of the pump with a catheter inserted in the umbilical vein (for blood withdrawal) and the second channel to a scalp or arm vein for blood transfusion, since connex- ion with umbilical artery may be difficult or a source of complications in some cases, as described by the authors.

Automated method for exchange transfusion.