ABSTRACT
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Cardiac surgery is generally performed on a motionless heart.* The heart consists of two separate pumps: right ventricle pump and left ventricle pump. The right ventricle pumps oxygen-depleted blood to the lungs while the left ventricle pumps oxygenrich blood to the body. Figure 23.1 shows the human circulatory system as well as the relationship between the heart and lungs. Cardiopulmonary bypass therefore must ensure that oxygen-rich blood reaches the cells in the body.
