Pre-Cardiovascular Perfusion

On Campus

A perfusionist is a skilled allied health professional, trained and educated specifically as a member of an open-heart surgical team responsible for the selection, setup, and operation of a mechanical device commonly referred to as the heart-lung machine.

During open-heart surgery, the patient’s heart is immobilized and cannot function in a normal fashion while the operation is being performed. The patient’s blood is diverted and circulated outside the body through the heart-lung machine and returned again to the patient. Majoring in Pre-Cardiovascular Perfusion at the University of Nebraska at Kearney will prepare you for higher education in the field.

PROGRAM INFORMATION GUIDE

Responsibilities of a perfusionist:

• Operating the heart-lung machine during surgery
• Monitoring the altered circulatory process closely
• Keeping the surgical team fully informed
• Taking appropriate corrective action when abnormal situations arise
• Assisting in the conservation of blood and blood products during surgery
• Providing support to patient’s circulation outside of the operating room

Average Salary: $80,000