Münch F, Goen T, Cesnjevar R, Ihlenburg KS (2012)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2012
Book Volume: 21
Pages Range: 64-68
Journal Issue: 3
The plasticizer DEHP (Di-ethyl-hexyl-phthalate) belongs to the chemical group of phthalates and is used for elastification of Polyvinylchloride. On the basis of the current EU guidelines (Medical Devices Directive) No. 93/42, content of DEHP has to be clearly visualized on the exterior of packages. This is now common law nationwide since March 27th 2010. In order to minimize potential hazards, regulations of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) do not allow its use on patients at risk, such as newborns and infants, if valid alternatives are present. Our study group has observed that concentrations of DEHP in blood storage bags are high, mainly depending on storage time. Unfortunately most surgical cases in newborns and infants with congenital heart disease have a high incidence of necessary blood transfusions. The lack of alternative materials gave our study group the idea to reduce phthalate concentrations via mechanical autotransfusion (MAT). An in vitro experimental setup was used to evaluate whether concentrations of DEHP and MEHP (MEHP = major metabolite of DEHP) could be reduced via MAT. MAT of packed red blood cells reduced DEHP concentrations on average by 49.2% ± 17.46 and MEHP concentrations by 82.88% ± 10.39. After another 24 h of storing "washed" blood bags, we noted an increase of DEHP concentrations by 7.517% ± 9.01 on average, probably caused by the use of DEHP-containing MAT-sets (tubing and storage bag). Our setup was able to achieve a marked reduction of DEHP and MEHP via MAT before possible patient exposure. Wide distribution of DEHP and the lack of alternatives make it currently impossible to abolish phthalates and other plasticizers from the medical environment of newborns and infants.
APA:
Münch, F., Goen, T., Cesnjevar, R., & Ihlenburg, K.S. (2012). Reducing plasticizer exposure in cardiac surgery by washing the red cell concentrates using mechanical autotransfusion (MAT) Verringerung der weichmacherexposition in der herzchirurgie durch waschen der erythrozytenkonzentrate mittels maschineller autotransfusion (MAT). Kardiotechnik, 21(3), 64-68.
MLA:
Münch, Frank, et al. "Reducing plasticizer exposure in cardiac surgery by washing the red cell concentrates using mechanical autotransfusion (MAT) Verringerung der weichmacherexposition in der herzchirurgie durch waschen der erythrozytenkonzentrate mittels maschineller autotransfusion (MAT)." Kardiotechnik 21.3 (2012): 64-68.
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