A perfusionist works at the interface between high-tech and medicine – with a direct impact on patients’ lives and diverse prospects for their own professional future. Perfusionists are specialists in cardiac medicine who are responsible for the safe operation and monitoring of mechanical perfusion procedures. They perform tasks that are vital during surgery – above all, maintaining heart and lung function with the heart-lung machine.

Central procedures

The field of work includes various methods of so-called extracorporeal circulation:

• Use of heart-lung machine
• Use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
• Support devices (VAD, IABP, Impella)
• Electrophysiology
• etc.

Responsibility in the operating theatre

Perfusionists are responsible for independently performing extracorporeal circulation during cardiac surgery. Their responsibilities include continuous monitoring of end-organ perfusion, oxygen supply, myocardial protection, haemodynamics and blood parameters. Through the targeted use of state-of-the-art techniques and procedures based on European guidelines, perfusionists’ expertise has a significant impact on the quality and safety of the procedure – a crucial contribution to successful patient care.

Team player in cardiology

In addition to professional autonomy, interdisciplinary collaboration with surgical departments, anaesthesiology and intensive care medicine is a key focus. This highly specialised profession makes perfusionists an important link in complex treatment processes and requires situational decision-making.

Prospects and further development

Advances in medicine and technology are also expanding the field of activity for perfusionists. Modern organ replacement systems, ECMO therapy and innovative surgical and interventional procedures are creating challenging areas of application. Further education and training enable a future-oriented career path in research, teaching, clinical quality management or the development of new medical technology.

In short, perfusionists work at the interface between high-tech and medicine, with a direct impact on patients’ lives and diverse prospects for their own professional future.