The invention relates to a supporting apparatus for devices for maintaining blood circulation, in particular for a heart-lung machine, comprising a plurality of retaining units arranged on the device side for retaining blood-conducting and/or blood-treating devices and control units, and comprising at least one fastening unit arranged on the patient side for detachably and quickly fastening the supporting apparatus to a patient or an object arranged near the patient, wherein at least one screen-like wall element is arranged between the device-side retaining units and the patient-side fastening unit as a protective element for the devices.