American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion

Each year at the AACP Annual Meeting, the Charles C. Reed Memorial Lecture honors one of the true pioneers of perfusion. Delivered by an invited speaker, this lecture continues a tradition of sharing knowledge, insight, and forward-thinking discussion that reflects the Academy’s commitment to advancing the profession.
Charles C. Reed played a foundational role in shaping perfusion as we know it today. In 1971, he established the School of Perfusion Technology at the Texas Heart Institute, helping to formalize education and training in the field. He went on to serve as president of AmSECT, was a founding member and first president of the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion, and later helped establish the AACP, serving as its president in 1984.
Through his leadership, authorship, and dedication to education, Mr. Reed left a lasting impact on perfusion both nationally and internationally. The Memorial Lecture serves as a tribute to his legacy, bringing distinguished speakers to the Academy each year to continue advancing knowledge, education, and meaningful discussion within the field.

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

“Taking volume” during cardiopulmonary bypass remains a common strategy to reduce hemodilution, though practices vary widely between institutions and individual perfusionists. Many programs routinely utilize RAP and/or VAP, while others avoid it due to concerns regarding hemodynamic stability or workflow. How does your program approach volume reduction, and how much volume do you typically remove from the circuit?

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

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Factor V Leiden is a genetic mutation that causes resistance to activated protein C, leading to a hypercoagulable state. Because the body is less able to regulate clot formation, patients with this mutation have an increased risk of developing abnormal blood clots. This commonly presents as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and can progress to pulmonary embolism if clots travel to the lungs. Factor V Leiden is one of the most common inherited thrombophilias seen in clinical practice.

References: Albagoush, S. A., Koya, S., Chakraborty, R. K., & Schmidt, A. E. (2023, April 8). Factor V Leiden Mutation. Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534802/

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

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A specific gene mutation that results in a thrombophilia that causes an increased tendancy of blood clotting and an increased risk of DVTs and pulmonary emboli describes:

A. Factor V Leiden
B. Von Willebrand’s disease
C. HIT I
D. HIT II

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.

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The AACP is deeply committed to supporting perfusion students and helping them grow as future leaders in the profession. Through initiatives like the Student Ambassador Program, students have the opportunity to engage with Academy members, contribute to educational efforts, participate in committees, and gain valuable experience in research and professional development.
The Academy also encourages students to attend and present at the Annual Meeting, where they can share original work, connect with experienced perfusionists, and take part in meaningful discussions. Student presentations are recognized through multiple awards, further highlighting the importance of student contributions to the field.
Investing in students is an investment in the future of perfusion, and the Academy is proud to support them every step of the way.
Are you a perfusion student interested in becoming an Academy member? You can find the student membership application here:https://www.theaacp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Student_Application_1022.pdf

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

Temperature management during routine CABG procedures continues to vary widely between institutions and surgeons, with different schools of thought regarding the benefits of hypothermia versus warmer bypass strategies. In recent years, many surgeons seem to have shifted toward performing routine CABGs under normothermic or near-normothermic conditions in an effort to reduce rewarming time and support physiologic perfusion. What temperature strategy does your institution use for routine CABGs, and what factors influence that approach?

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

Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) is administered to replace depleted clotting factors in patients experiencing Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC). In DIC, widespread activation of the coagulation cascade leads to rapid consumption of clotting factors, resulting in impaired coagulation and an increased risk of bleeding. This depletion contributes to laboratory abnormalities such as an elevated INR and prolonged PT/PTT values. By replenishing these clotting factors, FFP helps improve the patient’s coagulation status and supports hemostasis.

References: Costello, R. A., Leslie, S. W., & Nehring, S. M. (2024, May). Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation. Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441834

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

A DIC patient has:
INR: elevated
PT/PTT: prolonged
What is the best treatment?
A. Platelets
B. FFP
C. pRBCs
D. Cryoprecipitate

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 OUR AACP VICE PRESIDENT - TAMI ROSENTHAL

Tami Rosenthal is the Chief Perfusionist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia working with a highly committed team of Pediatric Perfusionists. With a focus on circuit miniaturization and advances in pediatric perfusion, she and the CHOP Perfusion team are dedicated to advancing patient care and safety.

Tami is active within AmSECT as a past president and Co-Chair of the Leadership Symposium. She is an active planning committee member, faculty and moderator of many perfusion and cardiac surgery conferences including the American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion, AmSECT, and CHOP Cardiology. She is a Fellow Member of the Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion and a Fellow of Pediatric Perfusion, recognized by AmSECT. Having completed a position on the AACP council and a term as secretary, Tami is now the current Vice President of the AACP.

A dedicated Philadelphia sports team’s supporter, Tami resides outside Philadelphia with her husband and 2 sons. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time at the Delaware beach with her family.

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

This Wisdom Wednesday topic was submitted by Arlenys Alcover

Modified ultrafiltration (MUF) remains a commonly utilized strategy in pediatric cardiac surgery, though practices regarding timing, technique, and patient selection vary between institutions. Studies have shown that pediatric MUF may improve hemodynamics, reduce total body water, and decrease postoperative bleeding following cardiopulmonary bypass. How does your program approach MUF in pediatric cases, and what outcomes have you observed?

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