In what way are perfusionists
involved in these interventions?
In order for the surgeon to operate safely on
the delicate structure of the heart, this needs
to be motionless and devoid of blood. Thus,
both the heart and the lungs have to be
stopped. Since this is incompatible with life,
the patient’s blood circulation is connected
to the Heart Lung Machine.
Allied
Health Care Services
Clinical
Perfusionist
This machine takes over the function of the
heart by pumping the patient’s own blood
round the body and gives oxygen to and
removes carbon dioxide from the blood just
like a normal lung. It is at this stage that the
heart and lung can be stopped.
The perfusionist manages the heart-lung
machine whilst monitoring the patient to
ensure a safe bypass. The perfusionist is also
involved in stopping and preserving the
immobilised heart, by administering special
drugs.
For further information contact:
Clinical Perfusion Services
Mater Dei Hospital
Tal-Qroqq, Msida MSD2090
Tel 25454682
What is a Perfusionist ?
A perfusionist is an Allied Health Care
Professional who forms part of the multidisciplinary team involved in open heart
surgery. He/she is responsible for managing
a life supporting equipment, the heart lung
machine. The perfusionist also monitors the
patient’s physiological parameters whilst the
latter is dependent on the machine and acts
accordingly.
Apart from the clinical aspect of the
profession, the perfusionist is also responsible
for the maintenance of all the equipment
used during the procedure.
The perfusion department also delivers a
Thromboelastography (TEG) service within
MDH to measure the ability of blood to form
clots, mostly in patients with inadvertent
bleeding after surgery.
What are the personal qualities
which makes a good Perfusionist?
A perfusionist must:
• Be able to work in a multidisciplinary team
i.e. nurses, surgeons and anaesthetists
• Be able to communicate fluently with the
rest of the team during surgery
• Be capable of solving problems in a timely
manner
• Be hard working and meticulous
What type of interventions are
perfusionists involved in?
• Strive for the best of the patient
How do the local perfusionists
maintain a high
competence level?
At present the perfusionists working at MDH
received academic training in perfusion
abroad, with clinical experience both in Malta
and in the UK. They are European accredited,
they hold a European Licence to practice and
must, therefore, keep abreast with the most
up-to-date evidence, knowledge and skills.
Hence, the Clinical Perfusion Services organises
intra-departmental presentations and national
seminars for the staff. Perfusionists also attend
related conferences abroad.
The perfusionist is involved in all operations
associated with surgery of the heart and
chest, where the patient’s circulation is
required to be temporarily supported by the
heart lung machine. These include:
•
bypass surgery
•
Heart valve repair/replacement
• Others such as heart transplants, thoracic
aortic aneurysm repairs, repair of
congenital defects of the heart etc.