What is a heart-lung machine?

A machine that temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lungs; especially during heart surgery, is known as a heart-lung machine. It takes over for the heart by replacing the heart's pumping action, and by adding oxygen to the blood. This means that the heart will not move during the operation, which is necessary when the heart has to be opend up to correct a defect.

The heart-lung machine in coonected to hte patient by a series of tubes that the surgical team places. At the end of the operation, the surgeon gradually allows the patient's heart to resume its normal function, and he or she is slowly taken off the heart-lung machine.

The heart-lung machine was invented in 1953 by Dr. Jhon Gibbon. Without this invention, it would not have been possible to perform the heart operation that save million of live today.