Comparing fluid dynamics of newborn and adult centrifugal pumps in cardiopulmonary bypass procedures

The newborn pump features notably shorter exposure times (45% lower than the adult design), reduced peak stress values, and a 20% reduction in the volume of fluid exposed to stress levels exceeding 50 Pa, suggesting a potential decrease in the risk of blood damage. Additionally, its reduced extent of stagnation zones (0.13 ml compared to 0.21 ml) indicates improved washout performance, thus lowering the risk of platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. These findings suggest that using a paediatric pump instead of an adult pump at typical flow rates for newborn patients may reduce the risk of blood damage.