Liv Perfusion

?? Circuit Alert! ?? Hey friends! I'm sharing a photo of a bypass circuit I built a while ago, but there’s a significant manufacturer error that makes it completely unusable! Do you know what’s wrong? Let me know in the comments! For those of you in the field or studying perfusion, you know how critical precision is when dealing with circuits for heart-lung machines. ??Even a tiny mistake can result in major complications, potentially endangering patient safety. What are some similar experiences you've had? Share below! ?? #Perfusion #Perfusionist #heartlungmachine #cardiopulmonarybypass #heartsurgery #ecmo #perfusionschool #patientcare #perfusionstudent #cardiacsurgery #openheartsurgery #perfusioneducation #alliedhealthprofessionals #advancedpractitioner

???? Hey everyone! As we gear up for the Fall 2024 Perfusion Board Exams, I wanted to share some encouragement and tips for those preparing for the CAPE and PBSE exams. With only 47 days left, staying focused and finding the study strategies that work best for you is crucial! ?? First things first, don’t underestimate the power of structured study materials! Utilizing resources like Quizlets can really help reinforce your knowledge and make learning engaging. ???? They offer a great way to quiz yourself on important topics and concepts while studying on-the-go. Next up is PerfusionBoardPrep.com. ??? From practice questions to exam tips, this resource can provide you with a solid foundation and bolster your confidence as you head toward exam day. And let’s not forget about the classic “blue book” ?? (Manual of Clinical Perfusion). It’s a must-have resource packed with crucial information that will definitely come in handy! As you prepare, here are some personal tips to help ease your stress and enhance your study sessions: 1. Set a Study Schedule: Time management is key! Break your study time into manageable chunks and set specific daily goals to keep yourself on track. ??? 2. Stay Healthy: Don’t forget to incorporate breaks, exercise, and healthy meals into your routine. Taking care of your body will encourage a more reliable and effective study practice. ????♂? 3. Form Study Groups: Collaborating with peers can make learning more enjoyable and help you grasp challenging topics through discussion. Plus, it’s a great way to motivate each other! ???????? 4. Practice, Practice, Practice: Take as many practice exams as you can. This will not only familiarize you with the exam format but also increase your confidence! ?? Best of luck to everyone preparing! ?? #Perfusion #Perfusionist #heartlungmachine #cardiopulmonarybypass #heartsurgery #ecmo #perfusionschool #patientcare #perfusionstudent #cardiacsurgery #openheartsurgery #perfusioneducation #alliedhealthprofessionals #advancedpractitioner

???? Reflecting on my journey to becoming a perfusionist today. My mom took this photo of me in front of MUSC's College of Health Professions after I received acceptance to their Master of Science in Cardiovascular Perfusion program in 2018. I was over the moon and so grateful for the opportunity to pursue my passion in healthcare. Becoming a perfusionist has been a dream come true. The people I've met, the experiences I've had, and the patients I've been able to care for have shaped me in ways I never imagined. Every day, I am grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others through my work. ?? Curious about perfusion school and the role of a perfusionist? Here are some commonly asked questions: 1. What is a perfusionist? A perfusionist is a healthcare professional who operates the heart-lung machine during cardiac surgery to support the patient's circulation and oxygenation. 2. What does perfusion school entail? Perfusion school typically involves a combination of didactic coursework and clinical rotations to prepare students for a career in perfusion. 3. How long does it take to become a perfusionist? Most perfusion programs are two years long and lead to a Master's degree in Cardiovascular Perfusion. 4. What skills do you need to be a successful perfusionist? Strong critical thinking skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work well under pressure are key qualities for a perfusionist. If you're considering a career in perfusion or have any questions about my experience, feel free to reach out! I'm always happy to share my journey and guide those interested in this incredible field. ?? #Perfusion #Perfusionist #heartlungmachine #cardiopulmonarybypass #heartsurgery #ecmo #perfusionschool #patientcare #perfusionstudent #cardiacsurgery #openheartsurgery #perfusioneducation #alliedhealthprofessionals #advancedpractitioner #musc

???? Being a perfusionist comes with its fair share of high-stress situations. From being on call to going into emergencies in the operating room, we face challenges every day that test our skills and mental strength. The rewards of helping save a life make it all worth it ?? When we are in the operating room, we are responsible for managing the heart-lung machine that supports the patient on cardiopulmonary bypass. It's a crucial role that requires us to stay calm under pressure, think quickly on our feet, and collaborate closely with the surgical team to ensure the best possible outcome for the patient. The stakes are high, but the satisfaction of knowing that we have played a vital role in saving someone's life is truly unmatched. Being on call adds another layer of stress to our already demanding job. We never know when we will be called in for an emergency case, and we have to be ready to respond at a moment's notice. It can be challenging to balance work and personal life when we are on call, but knowing that we are making a difference in people's lives keeps us motivated and dedicated to our profession. ?? Despite the stresses and challenges we face as perfusionists, the feeling of accomplishment when we successfully support a patient through a complex surgery is incredibly rewarding. We may have long hours, high-pressure situations, and emotional highs and lows, but at the end of the day, we know that we are making a difference in the lives of those who trust us with their care. ?? Here's to all the perfusionists out there who are dedicated to their craft and committed to providing the best possible care for their patients ?? #Perfusion #Perfusionist #heartlungmachine #cardiopulmonarybypass #heartsurgery #ecmo #perfusionschool #patientcare #perfusionstudent #cardiacsurgery #openheartsurgery #perfusioneducation #alliedhealthprofessionals #advancedpractitioner

Annnnd we’re back with another hot topic: goal directed perfusion (GDP)! ?? The goal in GDP is to achieve a higher index flow and ensure oxygen delivery rates of at least 260 ml/min/m^2. This approach aims to optimize the perfusion of vital organs and tissues, ultimately improving patient outcomes. ?? I'm curious to know if any of you follow GDP protocols at your hospitals. If not, what perfusion protocols do you follow instead? Let me know in the comments! ?? For those who may not be familiar with GDP, here's a little insight: By monitoring and maintaining adequate perfusion levels, we can help prevent complications during and after surgery, such as organ dysfunction or even failure. GDP helps us optimize the flow of blood and oxygen to the tissues, ensuring the best possible outcomes for our patients. ?? In addition to following GDP protocols, it's also important to consider other factors that can affect perfusion during surgery, such as temperature management, hematocrit levels, and vasopressor use. These all play a role in maintaining optimal tissue oxygenation and perfusion. ??? Happy pumping! ?? #Perfusion #Perfusionist #heartlungmachine #cardiopulmonarybypass #heartsurgery #ecmo #perfusionschool #patientcare #perfusionstudent #cardiacsurgery #openheartsurgery #perfusioneducation #terumo #medtronic #livanova #alliedhealthprofessionals #advancedpractitioner #questmps #spectrummedical

?? Happy Perfusion Week! ?? As a thank you to all the incredible perfusionists out there, I am excited to announce a sale on my site from May 5th to May 11th! Use code CCPWEEK for 30% off all orders and receive free domestic shipping on orders over $30. ?? Perfusionists are the unsung heroes of cardiac surgery, impacting and saving so many lives every day. I am grateful to be in this amazing field and to work alongside such dedicated individuals. Thank you for all that you do! ???? Happy Perfusion Week everyone! ???? https://lnkd.in/eSxw5xuZ

?? Hi everyone!???????? I want to hear your thoughts on two-man perfusion ???? For those who don't know, this involves having two perfusionists in the case - one operating the heart-lung machine and the other doing the charting for the perfusion record. ?? What do you think about this setup? Do you think it improves efficiency and patient safety? Let's discuss! ?? ?? Not my image, DM for credit or removal. Used for educational purposes only. #Perfusion #Perfusionist #heartlungmachine #cardiopulmonarybypass #heartsurgery #ecmo #perfusionschool #patientcare #perfusionstudent #cardiacsurgery #openheartsurgery #perfusioneducation #terumo #medtronic #livanova #alliedhealthprofessionals #advancedpractitioner

Hey guys! ?? I hope everyone had a great week and is looking forward to the weekend - TGIF! ?? Is anyone else on call this weekend like me? If so, I hope your call is smooth sailing. If not, enjoy your time off! ?? I’ve been getting called in pretty consistently; ECMO imitations, type A’s, and transplants galore ?? My post-call day off on Monday is looking pretty sweet right now ?? ?? Not my image, DM for credit or removal. Used for educational purposes only. #Perfusion #Perfusionist #heartlungmachine #cardiopulmonarybypass #heartsurgery #ecmo #perfusionschool #patientcare #perfusionstudent #cardiacsurgery #openheartsurgery #perfusioneducation #terumo #medtronic #livanova #alliedhealthprofessionals #advancedpractitioner

????Has anyone else had a bypass time of over eight hours? ?? That's how long my colleague was on bypass in a recent case, and it was a marathon! ??? Being on bypass for that long can be intense and challenging, but it's all worth it in the end to help save a life. I'm curious to know if anyone of you have had a similar experience. If you have, please share your story with me! What type of case were you working on that required such a lengthy bypass time???I'd love to hear about your experience and learn from your insights. Being a perfusionist is such a unique and fulfilling profession, and cases like these test our skills and dedication to our patients. It's moments like these that remind me why I chose this career in the first place. ?? #Perfusion #Perfusionist #heartlungmachine #cardiopulmonarybypass #heartsurgery #ecmo #perfusionschool #heartsurgery #patientcare #perfusionstudent #cardiacsurgery #openheartsurgery #perfusioneducation

?? Hey everyone, I wanted to share this old picture of a reservoir of a heart-lung machine that has foam and possible clot forming in it. ?? It's a reminder of the importance of proper anticoagulation during cardiothoracic surgery and the potential risks that can arise when things don't go as planned. Recently, I had a patient who was allergic to heparin, the primary drug used to anticoagulate a patient for cardiopulmonary bypass. This presented a challenge for our team, as we had to find an alternative anticoagulant to ensure the safety and success of the surgery. In this case, we used bivalirudin. Bivalirudin is a direct thrombin inhibitor used as an alternative to heparin in patients who are allergic to heparin or have a high risk of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. It works by directly inhibiting the action of thrombin, a key enzyme in the blood coagulation cascade. One of the key things to consider when using bivalirudin is its relatively short half-life of around 30 minutes. The patient needs to be on a continuous drip of bivalirudin throughout the operation to maintain proper anticoagulation, in addition to boluses before and during the pump run. Additionally, activated clotting time (ACT) tests should be run at least every thirty minutes to ensure the patient is within the desired anticoagulation range. Hemoconcentrating during this case was avoided due to the risk of taking off the bival in the effluent. Managing patients who are allergic to heparin can be challenging, but it's essential to ensure that they receive the appropriate anticoagulation to support a successful surgery and recovery. I'm curious to hear from anyone else who has experience with this situation – how have you managed patients who are allergic to heparin? What alternative anticoagulants have you used, and what precautions did you take to ensure their safety??? #Perfusion #Perfusionist #heartlungmachine #cardiopulmonarybypass #heartsurgery #ecmo #perfusionschool #heartsurgery #patientcare #perfusionstudent #cardiacsurgery #openheartsurgery #perfusioneducation