American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP) Board Practice Exam

The use of VAVD (Vacuum Assisted Venous Drainage) during cardiopulmonary bypass has been noted for its effects on the formation of venous air. Research indicates that VAVD can indeed lead to a greater incidence of trained venous air. This sharing of the venous drainage helps to prevent the accumulation of microbubbles, but at the same time, it can create conditions that lead to increased air entrainment.

Additionally, studies have shown that VAVD can isolate a significant number of microbubbles when in use. The figure of 300 microbubbles in one minute highlights its capacity to draw air into the system, which is particularly relevant in understanding the risks associated with air embolism during perfusion procedures.

The combination of these observations underscores the duality of VAVD—while it aids in venous drainage, it also has the potential to increase the incidence of trained venous air and can isolate a notable amount of microbubbles. This provides a comprehensive understanding of the implications of employing VAVD in clinical practice, making it a topic of critical importance in the training and operations of cardiovascular perfusionists.