What is the role of perfusionists in heart surgery?

Perfusionists play a crucial role in heart surgery primarily by operating heart-lung machines. These machines take over the function of the heart and lungs during surgery, providing the necessary blood circulation and oxygenation to the patient while the surgeon works on the heart. This role requires specialized training in both the technical operation of these machines and a deep understanding of the physiological changes that occur in the body during cardiopulmonary bypass.

While assisting the surgeon, monitoring patient vitals, and administering anesthetics are important tasks in the surgical environment, they are typically carried out by other trained medical personnel—such as surgical assistants, anesthesiologists, or nurses. The perfusionist's unique responsibility in managing the heart-lung machine is critical in ensuring the patient's safety and stability throughout the procedure.