Evaluation of Current Professional Practices of Perfusionists: Survey Study

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiac surgical procedures performed with extracorporeal circulation or perfusion techniques retain their importance in treating heart disease and often represent an alternative method. Objective: This survey aimed to identify and evaluate the current practice of perfusionists in cardiovascular surgery clinics in Turkey. Materials and Methods: This study is a prospective and descriptive etiological study. Surveys regarding the current practices of perfusionists were created as part of the study. The created surveys were sent to perfusionists in Turkey voluntarily through the application "Google Forms", and the data were collected. The data obtained from the surveys were statistically analyzed. Results: In this study, 80 perfusionists from 28 centres participated in the survey. Thirty-four participants were under 30 years old, 12 were between 31 and 35 years old, 16 were between 36 and 40 years old, and 16 were over 40 years old. Of the participants, 46 were female and 34 were male. The study collected descriptive data, information on cardiac clinics, CPB practices, use of cardioplegia, and other assistive devices. Conclusion: There have been significant advances and changes in cardiac surgery surgeries performed with CPB over approximately 70 years from the past to the present. However, we believe that there are ongoing or pending issues.