American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion

American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion The creation of The American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion was to try to focus a professional organization toward the single goal of education.

The purpose of The Academy is to encourage and stimulate investigation and study which will increase the knowledge of cardiovascular perfusion, to correlate and disseminate such knowledge. To attain this purpose, The Academy holds at least one scientific meeting every year in which free discussion is encouraged.

Hemolysis releases free hemoglobin into the plasma, where it rapidly binds and scavenges nitric oxide (NO), a potent end...
09/07/2026

Hemolysis releases free hemoglobin into the plasma, where it rapidly binds and scavenges nitric oxide (NO), a potent endogenous vasodilator. The resulting reduction in nitric oxide bioavailability promotes vasoconstriction, increases systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance, and can impair microvascular perfusion. During cardiopulmonary bypass, excessive hemolysis has also been associated with end-organ dysfunction, including acute kidney injury, making the prevention of red blood cell damage an important goal in perfusion practice.

Reference: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3521905/

Mastery Monday features a board-style perfusion question designed to encourage clinical thinking and discussion within the perfusion community.

Have an idea for a Mastery Monday post? Submit your question here: https://forms.gle/KXBwXDCh8cxPs98r9

Hemolysis leads to:A. increased serum haptoglobin levelsB. increased urine output C. decreased serum hemoglobin levelsD....
09/07/2026

Hemolysis leads to:
A. increased serum haptoglobin levels
B. increased urine output
C. decreased serum hemoglobin levels
D. increased vasoconstriction

Mastery Monday features a board-style perfusion question designed to encourage clinical thinking and discussion within the perfusion community. Comment your answer below and check back later for the explanation.

Have an idea for a Mastery Monday post? Submit your question here: https://forms.gle/KXBwXDCh8cxPs98r9

MEET THE 2026-2027 AACP STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAMA new year of the AACP Student Ambassador Program is about to begin, and ...
09/04/2026

MEET THE 2026-2027 AACP STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM

A new year of the AACP Student Ambassador Program is about to begin, and we’re excited to introduce this year’s Student Leadership Team!

Please join us in welcoming President Dylan Crandall, Vice President Lauren Turner, and Secretary Ashley Fellows. They’re already bringing great energy, ideas, and enthusiasm to the program, and we’re looking forward to seeing what they accomplish this year!

The Student Ambassador Program gives perfusion students from across the country an opportunity to connect with one another, become involved with the Academy, and begin building their professional networks before graduation. With outreach to perfusion programs beginning soon, we’re excited to welcome a new group of Student Ambassadors for 2026–2027!

Stay tuned for more from our Student Leadership Team, including this year’s student fundraiser and other initiatives leading up to the 2027 AACP Annual Seminar in Salt Lake City!

Academy 411 Friday is designed to keep the public, our members, and those interested in the perfusion profession informed about Academy happenings while also highlighting its mission, history, educational initiatives, and opportunities for member involvement.

Have a topic you think should be featured on an Academy 411 Friday? Submit your post here: https://forms.gle/NpFJqKRhFJDBDkxR8

What questions do you routinely ask students during their clinical rotations?When AACP President Bob Grimmett works with...
09/02/2026

What questions do you routinely ask students during their clinical rotations?

When AACP President Bob Grimmett works with students, he encourages them to answer questions like these during their first few weeks at their clinical site:
What heart-lung machine(s) are in use?
Are they direct drive or belt driven?
What is their required amperage?
Do they require a special outlet or plug?
How many pumps are on the console?
How are they configured?
Do the pumps rotate clockwise or counterclockwise?
How do you reverse pump rotation?
Does your clinical site pump from the left or the right?
Where does the surgeon stand?
How are the CPB lines arranged in relation to the surgeon?
What does servo-regulated mean?
Are any pumps slaved or servo-regulated to another? Why?
Does the HLM utilize a centrifugal pump? How does it work?
What is the design of the disposable?
Are there areas prone to stasis, heat, eddies, or hemolysis?
What kind of battery backup does your HLM have?
How is battery power accessed? Is it automatic?
Does the HLM need to be plugged in to work?
With all pumps running, how long will the battery support CPB? What about only the arterial pump?
What parameters are monitored on your HLM (pressures, gases, saturations, HCT, etc.)?
Does your clinical site use level detectors? Where are they placed, how do they work, and what happens if a low level is detected?
Does your clinical site utilize a bubble detector?
Whether you’re a student or experienced perfusionist, how many of these can you answer about your own hospital’s equipment?

Wisdom Wednesday highlights a clinical topic in perfusion practice designed to encourage thoughtful discussion within the perfusion community.

Have an idea for a Wisdom Wednesday post? Submit your topic here: https://forms.gle/8Y7wiPQyKcRENjrv6

This question was a follower submission.When a pediatric patient's height is unavailable, body surface area (BSA) can be...
08/31/2026

This question was a follower submission.

When a pediatric patient's height is unavailable, body surface area (BSA) can be estimated using a weight-based equation: BSA (m²) = (4W + 7) / (90 + W), where W is the patient's weight in kilograms. This formula provides a quick and practical method for estimating BSA when traditional height-based equations cannot be used. An accurate BSA estimate is essential for determining appropriate indexed pump flow and other weight-dependent perfusion calculations. While height-based formulas are preferred, knowing this equation can help perfusionists make timely, informed decisions during urgent pediatric cases when complete patient measurements are unknown.

References: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19430073/

Mastery Monday features a board-style perfusion question designed to encourage clinical thinking and discussion within the perfusion community.

Have an idea for a Mastery Monday post? Submit your question here: https://forms.gle/KXBwXDCh8cxPs98r9

This question was a follower submission. A 4-year-old child weighing 20kg is brought in for congenital heart surgery. Du...
08/31/2026

This question was a follower submission.

A 4-year-old child weighing 20kg is brought in for congenital heart surgery. Due to an emergency transfer, the patient’s height was never documented, but you need to estimate the child’s body surface area to choose the appropriate equipment, and estimate the indexed pump flow. What is the patient’s estimated BSA?
A. 0.62m2
B. 0.71m2
C. 0.79m2
D. 0.95m2

Mastery Monday features a board-style perfusion question designed to encourage clinical thinking and discussion within the perfusion community. Comment your answer below and check back later for the explanation.

Have an idea for a Mastery Monday post? Submit your question here: https://forms.gle/KXBwXDCh8cxPs98r9

The Conversation Doesn’t End on One Platform!While you'll find the same Academy updates across all of them, every commun...
08/28/2026

The Conversation Doesn’t End on One Platform!

While you'll find the same Academy updates across all of them, every community brings a unique perspective to the conversation. Following us on all three platforms ensures you won't miss valuable comments, questions, and discussions from perfusionists around the world.

Our Wisdom Wednesday posts are a great example! Members share different experiences, techniques, and insights on each platform. By following the conversation everywhere, you'll gain a broader view of how perfusion is practiced across diverse institutions and settings.

Whether it's educational content, meeting updates, member spotlights, or engaging discussions, stay connected by following the AACP on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Academy 411 Friday is designed to keep the public, our members, and those interested in the perfusion profession informed about Academy happenings while also highlighting its mission, history, educational initiatives, and opportunities for member involvement.

Have a topic you think should be featured on an Academy 411 Friday? Submit your post here: https://forms.gle/NpFJqKRhFJDBDkxR8

Successfully separating from cardiopulmonary bypass requires careful assessment, clear communication, and coordinated te...
08/26/2026

Successfully separating from cardiopulmonary bypass requires careful assessment, clear communication, and coordinated teamwork. While every case is unique, perfusionists often rely on a combination of hemodynamic, metabolic, and echocardiographic parameters to determine whether a patient is truly ready to come off bypass. What factors are most important in your decision-making process, and what are your “must-have” criteria before coming off CPB? How does your team approach challenging separations from CPB?

Wisdom Wednesday highlights a clinical topic in perfusion practice designed to encourage thoughtful discussion within the perfusion community.

Have an idea for a Wisdom Wednesday post? Submit your topic here: https://forms.gle/8Y7wiPQyKcRENjrv6

Carcinoid heart disease most commonly affects the right-sided heart valves (the tricuspid and pulmonary valves) due to p...
08/24/2026

Carcinoid heart disease most commonly affects the right-sided heart valves (the tricuspid and pulmonary valves) due to prolonged exposure to circulating serotonin and other vasoactive substances released by neuroendocrine tumors. These hormones are released directly into the systemic venous system, pass through the right side of the heart, and are then rendered inactive in the lungs by monoamine oxidase. When passing through the right side of the heart, these substances cause fibrous, plaque-like thickening of the valve leaflets, resulting in valvular dysfunction, most commonly tricuspid regurgitation and pulmonary stenosis.

References: Otto, Catherine M., and Vera H. Rigolin. Otto and Bonow's Valvular Heart
Disease: A Companion to Braunwald's Heart Disease. 6th ed., Elsevier, 2021.

Zipes, Douglas P., et al., editors. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of
Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed., Elsevier, 2022.

Mastery Monday features a board-style perfusion question designed to encourage clinical thinking and discussion within the perfusion community.

Have an idea for a Mastery Monday post? Submit your question here: https://forms.gle/KXBwXDCh8cxPs98r9

Carcinoid heart disease typically affects the:A. Mitral Valve with Vegetations.B. Right-Sided Valves (Tricuspid and Pulm...
08/24/2026

Carcinoid heart disease typically affects the:
A. Mitral Valve with Vegetations.
B. Right-Sided Valves (Tricuspid and Pulmonary) Leading to Plaque-Like Thickening.
C. Aortic Root with Aneurysm Formation.
D. Coronary Arteries with Vasospasm.

Mastery Monday features a board-style perfusion question designed to encourage clinical thinking and discussion within the perfusion community. Comment your answer below and check back later for the explanation.

Have an idea for a Mastery Monday post? Submit your question here: https://forms.gle/KXBwXDCh8cxPs98r9

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