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Microplastic in perfusion: the hidden risk and how to address it
Summary
This commentary addresses the emerging concern that cardiopulmonary bypass circuits and other extracorporeal circulation systems release significant levels of micro- and nanoplastics into patients during medical procedures. The authors note that the same properties making plastics ideal for medical tubing also make their degradation products potentially harmful. The study calls for further research into the clinical implications of plastic particle exposure during these increasingly common medical interventions.
of the ICVTS by Green and colleagues (1) from the University of Hull in the United Kingdom addresses an often underestimated yet increasingly recognized issue in medicine and other scientific fields: the degradation of plastic into microand nano-plastics (MNPs).This topic has garnered exponential interest in recent years, and for good reason.All forms of extracorporeal circulation rely on plastic materials for tubing and additional devices.While the chemical stability of these materialscharacterized by strong polymer bonds, hydrophobic properties, and crystalline structuresmakes them ideal for medical use, these very qualities now pose potential health risks.With an annual global plastic production of 400 million tons, projected to double by 2050 (2, 3), the environmental and biological impact of plastic degradation products has become a pressing concern.Micro-and nanoplastic particles are now pervasive in the air, water, and food supply, and have been detected in all living organismsincluding human organs.Against this backdrop, it is unsurprising that Green et al. ( 1) report significant levels of microplastic generation from cardiopulmonary bypass circuits.The key questions now are: How should these findings be interpreted, and what challengesbut also opportunitiesdo they present for future research and clinical practice (4)? Expanding Applications of Extracorporeal Circulation Techniques in the Coming Decade
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