Post by The Hospital for Sick Children

🫀During open-heart surgery at SickKids, cardiovascular perfusionists have the important role of supporting the patient's heart and lungs. When a patient’s heart needs to be stopped so surgeons can operate safely, perfusionists use cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), also known as the heart-lung machine, to keep blood flowing and oxygen moving through the body, maintaining systemic perfusion. In real time, perfusionists monitor and control the patient’s blood gasses, electrolytes and body temperature, which can sometimes go down to 18C! Their highly technical role supports the most critically ill patients in cardiac operating rooms, as well as patients on the Cardiac Critical Care Unit who are in cardiac or respiratory distress situations. In these settings, perfusionists use extracorporeal life support (ECLS) systems to support the heart and lungs to help them recover. During National Perfusion Week, and every day, we’re grateful for SickKids’ cardiovascular perfusionists! #PerfusionWeek