Perfusionist
Sign in to saveA cardiovascular perfusionist is a healthcare professional, theoretically trained in general, pediatric, cardiac and thoracic surgery who operates the cardiopulmonary bypass during cardiac surgery and other surgeries that require cardiopulmonary bypass to manage the patient's physiological status. As an extremely crucial member of the cardiovascular surgical team, the perfusionist helps maintain blood flow to the body's tissues as well as regulate levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, using a heart–lung machine.
Key facts
- Occupation.image
- Coronary artery bypass surgery Image 657C-PH.jpg
- Occupation.Specialty
- Cardiopulmonary bypassExtracorporeal procedureGeneral SurgeryCardiac surgery CABG, Valve replacement, Aortic aneurysm repairCoronary catheterization
- Occupation.Synonyms
- Cardiovascular perfusionist Clinical perfusionist Perfusiologist Cardiac surgery and perfusion technologist Cardiopulmonary bypass doctor (occasionally) or clinical perfusion scientist
- Occupation.activity_sector
- Medicine, Surgery
- Occupation.employment_field
- Hospital
- Occupation.related_occupation
- Anesthesiologist, Cardiothoracic surgeon, Respiratory therapist
- Occupation.type
- Healthcare professional
- Occupation.name
- Perfusionist
- Occupation.caption
- A perfusionist in front of a heart–lung machine (upper right) early in a coronary artery bypass surgery
via Wikipedia infobox
Article
11 sectionsContents
- Duties
- Involved procedures
- Training and certification
- United States
- Canada
- United Kingdom and Ireland
- Australia and New Zealand
- India
- Other countries
- References
- External links
A cardiovascular perfusionist is a healthcare professional, theoretically trained in general, pediatric, cardiac and thoracic surgery who operates the cardiopulmonary bypass during cardiac surgery and other surgeries that require cardiopulmonary bypass to manage the patient's physiological status. As an extremely crucial member of the cardiovascular surgical team, the perfusionist helps maintain blood flow to the body's tissues as well as regulate levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, using a heart–lung machine.
== Duties == Perfusionists form part of the wider cardiovascular surgical team which includes cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists, and residents. Their role is to conduct extracorporeal circulation as well as ensure the management of physiologic functions by monitoring the necessary variables. The perfusionist provides consultation to the physician in selecting appropriate equipment and techniques to be used.