Definition of Vascular Perfusion

The term "vascular perfusion" refers to the process of pouring a liquid through the veins of an organ. The most common type of vascular perfusion is cardiovascular perfusion in which a machine pushes the blood of open-heart surgery patients through their bodies while the heart is unable to pump blood.

Terms

• The process of removing and replacing a patient's blood is called extra-corporeal circulation (ECC). This process uses temporary artificial organs to replace the function of the organ while it is unusable. Artificial organs currently available include hearts, lungs, kidneys and livers. Special tubes, called cannulas, are used to connect the ECC to a patient's bloodstream.

Uses

• Vascular perfusion is used in surgeries for many conditions including coronary artery disease, heart attacks, heart failure, respiratory failure, heart valve disease and kidney failure. Heart, kidney and lung transplantation procedures also use vascular perfusion. Cancer patients receive their chemotherapy medications through vascular perfusion; it is delivered through the bloodstream to the patient's affected organs or limbs.

Perfusionists

• Specially trained medical professionals called perfusionists operate the equipment used in vascular perfusion. The perfusionist is responsible for helping the physician to choose the right type of equipment or methods in each case of vascular perfusion. The perfusionist is also responsible for monitoring the patient's blood.