What is Cardiovascular Perfusion?

Cardiovascular perfusion is a specialized medical field that involves the use of technology and techniques to support and manage the physiological functions of the heart and circulatory system during open-heart surgery and other procedures. The goal of cardiovascular perfusion is to maintain adequate blood flow and oxygenation throughout the body while the patient's heart is stopped or undergoing surgery.

A cardiovascular perfusionist is a highly skilled healthcare professional who works as part of a team in the operating room during cardiac surgical procedures. They are responsible for operating and maintaining the cardiopulmonary bypass machine, which temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lungs during the procedure.

The cardiopulmonary bypass machine pumps oxygenated blood through the body and removes carbon dioxide, allowing surgeons to perform complex procedures on the heart and surrounding blood vessels without the need for the heart to beat. The perfusionist carefully monitors the patient's vital signs and adjusts the settings on the bypass machine as needed to ensure that the patient remains stable throughout the procedure.

Cardiovascular Perfusionist: Roles, Responsibilities

Cardiovascular perfusionists are highly skilled healthcare professionals who work in the operating room during cardiac surgical procedures. They are responsible for operating and maintaining the cardiopulmonary bypass machine, which temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lungs during the procedure. Some common roles and responsibilities of cardiovascular perfusionists include:

Pre-Procedure Preparation: Cardiovascular perfusionists prepare the cardiopulmonary bypass machine and other equipment before the start of the surgical procedure. This involves ensuring that all components are functioning properly and calibrated correctly.

Monitoring Patient Vital Signs: During cardiac surgery or other procedures, cardiovascular perfusionists closely monitor the patient's vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation levels. They make adjustments to the bypass machine as necessary to maintain stable physiological conditions.

Administering Medications: In some cases, cardiovascular perfusionists may administer medications to patients during cardiac surgery to help regulate blood flow and oxygenation.

Blood Management: Cardiovascular perfusionists are responsible for managing blood flow during cardiac surgery. They may use techniques such as blood conservation, cell salvaging, and transfusions as necessary to minimize the need for donor blood products.

Post-Procedure Care: Following surgery, cardiovascular perfusionists provide ongoing care for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) to ensure that they are receiving appropriate treatment and support to promote healing and recovery.

What Does A Career In Cardiovascular Perfusionist Look Like

A career in cardiovascular perfusion offers an exciting and rewarding opportunity to work as part of a healthcare team providing critical support during cardiac surgeries and other procedures. If you are interested in pursuing a career in cardiovascular perfusion, here are some things to consider:

Education and Training: A bachelor's degree is typically required to become a cardiovascular perfusionist, along with completion of an accredited perfusion education program. Many programs also require clinical experience or internships. Additionally, certification by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP) and licensure may be required depending on the state.

Job Settings: Cardiovascular perfusionists can work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, cardiac surgery centers, and research institutions.

Typical Responsibilities: As outlined above, the typical responsibilities of cardiovascular perfusionists include preparing and operating the cardiopulmonary bypass machine, monitoring vital signs, administering medications, managing blood flow, and performing maintenance and repair of equipment.

Top Cardiovascular Perfusionist in Pittsburgh,Pa Pennsylvania

1. Thomas Cavanaugh, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

2. Anthony Muscatello, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

3. Robert Schwind, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

4. Stephen Schollenberger, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

5. Thomas Popp, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

6. Robert Martin, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

7. Jeffrey Stover, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

8. Christopher McAllister, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

9. Abigail Miller, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

10. Laura Taylor, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

11. David Gaudet, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

12. Alan Neibauer, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

13. Christopher Mclaughlin, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

14. Paul Stauffer, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

15. Christopher Davis, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

16. Erick Smith, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

17. Kelly Harrison, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

18. Scott Langer, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

19. David Wigginton, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

20. Robert Mathews, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

21. Sharon Spinnato, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

22. Joshua Kepple, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

23. Brian Tamburro, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

24. Michael Cianci, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

25. James Schofield, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

26. David Fosco, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

27. Robert Keating, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

28. David J. Gress, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

29. Matthew McClelland, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

30. Matthew Bogan, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

31. Richard Pollack, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

32. Thomas D. Durnin, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

33. John D. Hartman, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

34. Christopher B. Lawrence, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

35. Christopher B. Ryan, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

36. Christopher J. Howard, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

37. Michael S. Rubenstein, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

38. Robert C. Smith, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

39. John J. Adams, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

40. Justin G. Bailey, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

41. Todd K. Dunn, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

42. John J. Haun, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

43. Joseph A. Jellison, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

44. Robert P. Kline, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

45. Mark W. Levy, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

46. Kenneth W. Moore, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

47. Gary J. Swartz, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

48. William R. Vollman, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

49. Kelly M. Anderson, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

50. Joseph C. Delaney, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

51. Michele L. Evans, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

52. Mark M. Goldberg, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

53. David E. Gordon, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

54. William J. Gorman, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

55. Christopher M. Hubbert, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

56. John R. Koch, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

57. Anthony P. McMahon, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

58. Robert M. Miller, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

59. David E. Schudel, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

60. Scott E. Shoup, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

61. Joseph E. Smith, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

62. William D. Stewart, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

63. Charles S. Thompson, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

64. John J. Thomas, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

65. Robert W. Walker, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

66. William W. Wilcox, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

67. David A. Wilkes, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

68. Sandra L. Witt, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

69. Timothy J. Womack, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

70. James A. Wright, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

71. Jonathan L. Young, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

72. John A. Zottoli, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

73. David J. Applegate, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Mercy, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

74. Robert C. Ardery, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Mercy, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

75. Scott G. Brown, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Mercy, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

76. John A. Conner, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Mercy, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

77. Robert L. Eppley, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Mercy, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

78. Christopher C. Givens, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Mercy, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

79. Stephen P. Gordon, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Mercy, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

80. Robert S. Jones, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Mercy, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

81. James W. Kostelnik, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Mercy, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

82. Robert J. Lang, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Mercy, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

83. Christopher T. Loeffler, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Mercy, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

84. Joseph M. McQuillan, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Mercy, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

85. David W. Morris, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Mercy, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

86. Richard E. Mroz, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Mercy, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

87. Michael J. Murphy, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Mercy, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

88. Michael S. O’Neill, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Mercy, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

89. Thomas A. O’Neill, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Mercy, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

90. Kenneth L. Platt, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Mercy, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

91. Richard A. Ryan, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Mercy, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

92. David J. Scharff, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Mercy, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

93. David M. Sinko, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Mercy, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

94. David L. Smith, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Mercy, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

95. Thomas J. Smith, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, UPMC Mercy, 1400 Locust Street