Inside the Life of a Cardiovascular Perfusionist

By : Nida Azeemi

There are a variety of medical professions that are essential in our world but are commonly unknown to the public. One of these medical professions is a cardiovascular perfusionist, otherwise known as a cardiac perfusionist or a cardiopulmonary perfusionist. They work in operating rooms alongside cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists, physician assistants, surgical technicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. 

Cardiac perfusionists operate extracorporeal circulation equipment, like the heart-lung machine, during open heart surgeries or other kinds of medical procedures that require the use of these machines. Perfusion defines the passage of bodily fluids through body systems such as the circulatory or lymphatic system to an organ or tissue. Cardiac perfusionists are vital during medical procedures that can interrupt the heart’s function because the organ is responsible for pumping fluid throughout the body, so they step in and monitor the patient while using the proper equipment to manage the patient’s blood flow, respiratory functions, etc. 

To become a cardiovascular perfusionist, the requirements and training vary. For some perfusionist programs, around 60 to 80 credit hours of coursework are required to begin training along with the prerequisite courses. For other programs, applicants need to have a bachelor's degree or a formal education in health science and work experience. The number of cardiac perfusionists in the United States is very small, so there are only 18 schools that offer perfusionist programs here. The training is offered at certificate, bachelor’s, and master's degree levels. There are different requirements for the various types of degrees offered. 

There are a few important things to know before starting your journey of becoming a cardiovascular perfusionist. Perfusionists are very significant members of a surgical team, so they have a rotating schedule and they remain on call in case of emergencies. They also work long hours due to their critical role, and sometimes they could work during weekends, holidays, and overnight. Additionally, the ability to work well under stressful situations is crucial along with always being mentally alert. 

Overall, being a cardiac perfusionist is a field that’s in demand and is critical in the healthcare field. Perfusionists play a huge part in various medical procedures, mainly open heart surgeries. The schooling of becoming one varies from program to program, and there are certain skills needed to be successful in the field.

Works Cited

“Cardiovascular Perfusionist - Explore Health Care Careers - Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science.” Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, https://college.mayo.edu/academics/explore-health-care-careers/careers-a-z/cardiovascular-perfusionist/. Accessed 10 December 2024.

“How Do I Become a Perfusionist?” Perfusion.com, https://perfusion.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-become-a-perfusionist/. Accessed 10 December 2024.

Verdetto, Louis. “5 Things You Should Know Before Embarking on a Perfusion Career.” Keystone Perfusion Services, 23 February 2016, https://keystoneperfusion.com/5-things-you-should-know-before-embarking-on-a-perfusion-career/. Accessed 3 December 2024.