What is a perfusionist?
A perfusionist is an educated, certified and highly skilled specialist responsible for maintenance, setup and operation of the heart-lung machine.
In open-heart, surgery it is normal for the heart to be stopped in order for the surgeon to work on the heart more efficiently. The blood is then directed to the heart-lung machine. When the blood is received by the heart-lung machine, it oxygenates the blood and channels it back into the patient. Basically, the machine takes the responsibility of the heart and lungs, hence the name "Heart and Lung Machine".
The job of the perfusionist is to monitor the progress of circulation closely, fix and troubleshoot any problems that may occur and keep the surgery team informed and updated at all times. In some hospitals, perfusionists may perform other responsibilities as well, such as using additional machines to aid in the conservation of blood and assisting in the support of blood circulation outside surgery. Links of Interest: