A total condensed circuit for cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegia are provided,
as well as methods of using the same. The total circuit includes a cardiopulmonary
bypass portion including tubing and components which together have a substantially
short path length and priming volume preferably under 800 ml. Thus, the opportunity
for an inflammatory response caused by blood contacting plasticizers is minimized.
The bypass circuit includes a shunt which bypasses a blood reservoir of the total
circuit. The cardioplegia circuit infuses cardioplegia fluid into blood pulled
from an oxygenator of the bypass circuit. According to the method, either or both
of heart-lung bypass and cardioplegia can be performed with only minimal or no
isotonic priming solution circulated into the patient. In addition, use of the
shunt and reservoir together eliminate the possibility of air entering the circulation
system upon kinking of the circuit.