Cardiovascular Perfusionist Course

Lesson 1 • Cardiac Cycle and Hemodynamics

Details pressure-volume relationships and cardiac output determinants. Provides the hemodynamic framework used throughout perfusion monitoring.

Lesson 2 • Cardiac Anatomy and Chamber Function

Covers heart chambers, valves, and great vessels in clinical detail. Establishes structural baseline for understanding perfusion circuit design.

Lesson 3 • Pathophysiology of Cardiac Disease

Introduces common cardiac pathologies encountered in the operating room. Prepares students to anticipate altered physiology during perfusion management.

Lesson 4 • Blood Composition and Oxygen Transport

Reviews blood components and oxygen-carrying capacity relevant to bypass. Underpins decisions on hemodilution, hematocrit targets, and gas management.

Lesson 1 • Pumps, Reservoirs, and Tubing

Covers roller and centrifugal pump mechanics, venous reservoirs, and circuit tubing. Establishes the mechanical foundation for circuit assembly and flow control.

Lesson 2 • Oxygenators and Gas Exchange Devices

Examines membrane oxygenator design, gas transfer physics, and selection criteria. Directly supports the student's ability to choose and troubleshoot oxygenators.

Lesson 3 • Heat Exchangers and Temperature Management

Explains heat exchanger function and its role in systemic temperature control. Links temperature management to metabolic rate and organ protection strategies.

Lesson 4 • Filters, Safety Devices, and Alarms

Reviews arterial line filters, bubble detectors, and level sensors. Reinforces a safety-first approach to circuit management and alarm response.

Lesson 1 • Pre-bypass Checklist and Readiness Verification

Establishes a structured checklist approach to confirm circuit readiness before cannulation. Integrates team communication into the safety verification process.

Lesson 2 • Priming Solutions and Hemodilution

Covers crystalloid and colloid prime compositions and their hemodilution effects. Prepares students to calculate and adjust prime to meet patient-specific targets.

Lesson 3 • Circuit Design and Component Selection

Guides selection of circuit components based on patient size and procedure type. Connects component choices to downstream priming volume and flow capacity.

Lesson 4 • Systematic Circuit Assembly

Provides step-by-step assembly sequence to ensure correct component orientation. Reduces assembly errors that could compromise patient safety during bypass.

Lesson 1 • Heparin Dosing and Supplementation

Covers initial heparin dosing protocols and supplemental dosing during prolonged bypass. Ensures students maintain therapeutic anticoagulation throughout the case.

Lesson 2 • Heparin Pharmacology and Mechanism

Reviews heparin's anticoagulant mechanism and dose-response variability. Provides the pharmacological basis for all subsequent anticoagulation decisions.

Lesson 3 • Protamine Reversal and Complications

Details protamine dosing, administration technique, and adverse reaction management. Prepares students to safely reverse anticoagulation at bypass termination.

Lesson 4 • Activated Clotting Time Monitoring

Teaches ACT measurement, target ranges, and interpretation during bypass. Connects real-time ACT values to dosing decisions throughout the procedure.

Lesson 1 • Monitoring Adequacy of Perfusion

Introduces mixed venous oxygen saturation, lactate, and cerebral oximetry monitoring. Provides tools to detect and correct inadequate tissue perfusion in real time.

Lesson 2 • Bypass Initiation Sequence

Provides a structured sequence for transitioning from native circulation to full bypass. Prevents hemodynamic instability and air entrainment during the critical onset phase.

Lesson 3 • Blood Gas and Acid-Base Management

Covers alpha-stat and pH-stat strategies and arterial blood gas interpretation. Ensures students maintain appropriate acid-base balance throughout the bypass period.

Lesson 4 • Cannulation Strategies and Perfusionist Role

Reviews cannulation sites and the perfusionist's responsibilities during cannulation. Establishes the collaborative workflow between surgeon and perfusionist at bypass onset.

Lesson 1 • Cardioplegia Solution Composition

Reviews crystalloid, blood, and del Nido cardioplegia formulations and their properties. Enables students to select and prepare appropriate solutions for each case.

Lesson 2 • Principles of Myocardial Ischemia and Protection

Explains ischemia-reperfusion injury and the metabolic basis of cardioplegia. Establishes the scientific rationale for every myocardial protection decision.

Lesson 3 • Cardioplegia Dosing and Redosing Intervals

Establishes initial dose volumes and redosing schedules based on arrest duration. Ensures continuous myocardial protection throughout complex, prolonged procedures.

Lesson 4 • Aortic Cross-Clamp Management

Addresses cross-clamp application, timing, and removal in relation to cardioplegia. Connects clamp management to total ischemic time and myocardial outcome.

Lesson 1 • Criteria for Bypass Termination

Defines physiological and surgical criteria that must be met before weaning begins. Prevents premature weaning attempts that risk hemodynamic collapse.

Lesson 2 • Rewarming Strategies and Targets

Covers controlled rewarming rates, temperature gradients, and endpoint targets. Balances efficient rewarming against risks of cerebral hyperthermia and gas emboli.

Lesson 3 • Gradual Weaning and Flow Reduction

Provides a stepwise approach to reducing pump flow while monitoring cardiac function. Ensures the native heart assumes workload progressively and safely.

Lesson 4 • Decannulation and Post-bypass Management

Covers cannula removal sequence, protamine administration, and immediate post-bypass monitoring. Completes the bypass episode and transitions care to the surgical team.

Lesson 1 • Autotransfusion and Blood Conservation

Covers cell salvage, ultrafiltration, and blood conservation strategies during bypass. Reduces allogeneic transfusion exposure and supports patient blood management goals.

Lesson 2 • Minimally Invasive and Endoscopic Bypass

Adapts bypass management to minimally invasive surgical approaches and peripheral cannulation. Addresses unique challenges of limited access and remote perfusion control.

Lesson 3 • Pediatric and Congenital Perfusion

Addresses size-specific circuit design, priming, and flow management for pediatric patients. Applies modified perfusion strategies to congenital cardiac anatomy.

Lesson 4 • Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices

Introduces intra-aortic balloon pump, ECMO, and ventricular assist device management. Expands the perfusionist's role into perioperative mechanical support.