Cardiovascular Perfusion Essentials
Get to the Heart of Cardiovascular Perfusion.
At Liv Perfusion, I am passionate about providing the highest quality perfusion educational aid. I aim to help students learn the fundamentals of perfusion and become qualified cardiovascular perfusionists. I believe everyone should have access to quality education, so these online resources are available without cost.
The Basics
Whether you are just starting your journey toward becoming a perfusionist or looking to expand your knowledge in its field, this introductory page will give you a solid foundation to build upon.
Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is a crucial technique used during cardiac surgery to divert blood from the heart and lungs, allowing surgeons to operate on a non-beating heart. This procedure involves using a heart-lung machine, which acts as an artificial circulation system. The heart-lung machine takes over the vital functions of the heart and lungs by oxygenating the blood and removing carbon dioxide, ensuring the patient's organs receive the necessary oxygen and nutrients throughout the surgery.
A comprehensive understanding of cardiovascular anatomy is vital for any perfusionist. As the central organ, the heart consists of four chambers: two atria and two ventricles. The atria receive deoxygenated blood from the systemic veins and oxygenated blood from the lungs. On the other hand, the ventricles pump blood out of the heart into the systemic and pulmonary circulation.
Apart from cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiovascular anatomy, perfusion encompasses several other important topics. Some of these areas include blood management, monitoring, and specific procedures such as extracorporeal membrane oxygentaion (ECMO) and ventricular assist devices (VADs).