Extraction of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate from a cardiopulmonary bypass circuit

We measured levels of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in a priming solution of a cardiopulmonary bypass circuit. The circuit consisted of a venous reservoir, an oxygenator, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubes. Eight circuits were used in this study. In 4 circuits a heparin-coating PVC tube was used and, in the others, a non-coating PVC tube. After they were primed with 1,500 ml of saline, the saline was circulated for 30 minutes at a rate of 6 l/min at 42 degrees C. Another four samples were collected directly from the saline in a polyethylene container as a control. Then the concentrations of DEHP in them were determined by means of gas chromatography. No detectable DEHP was found in controls. But, a small amount was detected in the saline from the circuits (2.75 +/- 4.27 ppb, and 3.75 +/- 4.99 ppb, respectively). DEHP was considered to be leached from the circuit to the priming solution because the tubes were made of PVC containing DEHP as a plasticizer. We suppose the DEHP concentration is probably at a safe level. However, the data on the endocrinologically toxic level of blood DEHP are insufficient. Therefore, the use of plastic in a circuit may require closer scrutiny to determine whether DEHP leached from PVC contributes to exposure to xenoestrogens.