A minimal priming technique that allows for a higher circulating hemoglobin on cardiopulmonary bypass

Reduction in circuit prime during cardiopulmonary bypass has benefits for the patient with a low body surface area, anemia, patient refusal to receive blood products, and aids the practitioner’s goal to minimize exposure to blood products. Described here is a simple, low-cost technique that has been shown to decrease priming volume in any bypass circuit and allow a significant increase in ‘on bypass hemoglobin’.