Cardiovascular Perfusion

Cardiovascular Perfusion is a unique health profession primarily focused on supporting the normal functions of the heart and lungs during open-heart surgery. This allows the heart to be stopped to facilitate cardiac operation. At Sunnybrook, Cardiovascular Perfusionists provide service at the Bayview Campus, including in the Operating Room, Catheterization Laboratory, Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and anywhere support is needed in the hospital.

Cardiovascular Perfusionists, also known as Perfusionists, are members of the Open-Heart Surgical Team whose primary role is to conduct cardiopulmonary bypasses using a heart-lung machine. They closely monitor and control the patient’s blood flow and other vital signs during cardiac surgery. They are also responsible for administering intravenous fluids, blood products and drugs required during surgery. Perfusionists are also experts of other life support equipment such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machines, ventricular assist devices and intra-aortic balloon pumps. They run an intra-operative cell salvage machine, also known as a cell saver, which could help to recover blood lost during surgery.

Perfusion at Sunnybrook offers has a variety of educational backgrounds which is complemented with an advanced diploma in Cardiovascular Perfusion from the Michener Institute. The Perfusion Team is systematically involved with our governing societies and the entire team hold one or more certifications with the Canadian Society of Clinical Perfusion, the Ontario Society of Clinical Perfusion and the American Society of Clinical Perfusion.