What does a Cardiovascular Perfusionist do?
Cardiovascular Perfusionists are important members of the open-heart surgical team whose primary role is to conduct cardiopulmonary bypass using a heart-lung machine and other ancillary equipment. They closely monitor the patient’s blood flow and other vital signs during open heart surgery and are also responsible for administering intravenous fluids, blood products and anesthetic drugs. Perfusionists are also experts of other life support equipment such as ventricular assist devices and intraaortic balloon pumps.
