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Why is a heart-lung machine needed while docters operate on a patient's own heart?

Answer:

Because while doctors operate on the heart, the heart must be stopped (i.e. stop it from beating) so the doctors can work on it. Hence without a pumping system for the duration of the surgery the patient will die. Therefore a machine is needed to do the work of the heart, which is what the heart-lung machine does, it pumps blood and reoxygenates it at the same time.

First answer by Westside123123. Last edit by Westside123123. Contributor trust: 2 [recommend contributor recommended]. Question popularity: 1 [recommend question].

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