INTRODUCTION TO PERFUSION TECHNOLOGY :

 

Cardiac surgery has been one of the most progressive and innovative specialties in medicine.

"Cardiopulmonary Bypass" (CPB) which is carried out by the clinical perfusionist is a key component of highly invasive surgical procedure, many of which are complex.

"Clinical perfusionist" are members of the multi-disciplinary cardiac surgical team. They have a clearly defined and uniquily specialised role. They are responsible for all the aspects of patients care associated with the use of CPB during cardiac surgery.

Clinical perfusionist also work in ICU, the emergency department, non-cardiac theatres and the cardiac catheter laboratory, providing mechanical and circulatory support and other specialist services for patients with heart diseases and for other procedures, such as liver surgery.

 

 

QUALIFICATION OF A PERFUSIONIST :

 

1. Bachelor degree in perfusion technology.
2. Master degree in perfusion technology.

 

SYLLABUS FOR PERFUSION TECHNOLOGY :

 

Applied Anatomy And Physiology Related To Perfusion Technology.

Pharmacology Related to Perfusion Technology.

Concepts of Disease and Outline of Clinical Evaluation Related to Perfusion Technology

Concepts Of Disease And Outline Of Clinical Evaluation Related To Perfusion Technology-I I

History And Mechanics Of CPB.

Circuitry, Cannulation and Basic Physiology of CPB.

Pathophysiology And Organ System And Effects Of CPB.

Clinical Application And Management Of CPB.

 

ROLE OF CLINICAL PERFUSIONIST IN CARIOTHORACIC SUYGERY :

 

Cardiovascular perfusion is a profess ion primarily focused on supporting the normal functions of the heart and lungs during open-heart surgery. This allows the heart to be stopped to facilitate cardiac surgery.

CPB: 

It is a technique that temporarily takes over the function of heart and lungs to maintain circulation of blood and oxygen content of the body.

 

ROLE OF PERFUSIONIST :

Cardiovascular Perfusionists are vital members of the cardiovascular surgical team whose primary role is to conduct cardiopulmonary bypass using a heart-lung machine and other ancillary equipment.

 

ROLE IN CARDIAC SURGERY :

Main functions of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)

     1. Artificially support the heart and lung during cardiac surgery.

     2. Maintain adequate ventilation/RegulatePO2 and PCO2.

     3. Maintain circulation/Minimize damage to blood constituents (platelets, RBCs).

     4. Controlled hypothermia and normothermia.

     5. Administration of drugs.

 

ROLE IN SPECIAL PROCEDURES:

 

Total circulatory arrest

Ultrafiltration

Role in continuous support

Extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ecmo)

Extracorporeal life support (ecls)

Ventricular assist device (vad)

Intra-aortic balloon pump (iabp)

 

HEART TRANSPLANTATION

Indications:

1. Cardiomyopathy.

2. Heart Failure.