Clinical Perfusion Technology

Clinical Perfusion Profession is a set of practice of those functions necessary for the support, treatment, measurement, or supplementation of the cardiopulmonary and circulatory system of the patient. It is a rare profession and scarce skill profession that require vigilance and high level of care or concern.

Cardiovascular Perfusion Technology involves the study of physiology, pathology and associated equipment used to support and/or assume the function of the heart and/or lungs during medical procedures.

The perfusion technologist prepares and operates the heart-lung machine and other sophisticated equipment as directed by healthcare physicians. The perfusionist measures various blood and other parameters to identify appropriate mechanical, pharmacological and thermal manipulation to maintain tissue viability.

To perform these tasks the perfusionist must have a thorough understanding of the both respiratory and circulatory systems and be able to operate complex equipment. Additionally the clinical perfusionist must be capable of handling stressful situations, pay great attention to detail, communicate effectively, and be willing to stay abreast of new developments in the profession.

These duties, upon prescription by a physician and in accordance with hospital policy, include but are not limited to, the safe performance and/or management of:

1. Extracorporeal circulation/cardiopulmonary support
2. Circulatory support/ventricular assistance
3. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
4. Blood conservation techniques/autotransfusion
5. Myocardial preservation
6. Anticoagulation and hemotalogic monitoring/analysis
7. Physiological monitoring/analysis
8. Blood gas and blood chemistry monitoring/analysis
9. Induction of hypothermia/hyperthermia with reversal
10. Hemodilution & Hemofiltration
11. Administration of medications, blood components, and anesthetic agents via the extracorporeal circuit
12. Documentation associated with described duties
13. Electrophysiological analysis and Dialysis
14. The Perfusionist is knowledgeable concerning the variety of equipment available to perform extracorporeal circulation functions and is responsible, in consultation with the physician, for selecting the appropriate equipment and techniques to be used.
15. The Perfusionist may be administratively responsible for purchasing supplies and equipment, assuring periodic maintenance of same, as well as for appropriate personnel and departmental management.
16. Management duties may include development and implementation of policies and procedures, quality assurance measures and staff development.
17. Education and research are a fundamental part of the perfusionist’s scope of practice

Currently there is no accredited higher learning institutions that offer training in clinical perfusion.