Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Pages: 2-5

Journal: Zeitschrift für Herz-, Thorax- und Gefäßchirurgie

Volume number: 39

Issue number: 1

ISSN: 0930-9225

eISSN: 1435-1277

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00398-024-00685-8

Publisher: Springer

Abstract: 
The development and introduction of the cardiopulmonary bypass, which made modern heart surgery possible around 60 years ago, was the result of a multiprofessional collaboration between surgeons and engineers. While cardiac surgeons initially conducted the system for extracorporeal circulation, the profession of cardiac technician (today perfusionists) developed very early on due to the technical complexity and then carried out the perfusion. The initial technical focus was later supplemented by pathophysiological knowledge, both of which are currently acquired through a degree program. In the daily clinical practice, after medical assessment of the indications the selection and performance of extracorporeal systems is completely delegated to perfusionists, who are thus legally (co)liable. Perfusionists are now involved in the acquisition of evidence and these experts independently develop methods and devices, advise disciplines within and outside cardiac medicine and actively train junior staff by inclusion in the academic teaching. The realization of multiprofessional collaboration in cardiac medicine is demonstrated in many locations by the fact that technical perfusionist expertise is actively required and embedded in treatment decisions and is also available for new assignments, such as donor organ recruitment. These cross-sectional tasks for different disciplines optimize patient care but also lead to an as yet unresolved distribution of costs.

Harvard Citation style: Gehron, J. and Münch, F. (2025) Multiprofessionalität in der Herzmedizin: Perspektiven in der Perfusiologie und Technischen Medizin. Unde venis, quo vadis?, Zeitschrift für Herz-, Thorax- und Gefäßchirurgie, 39(1), pp. 2-5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00398-024-00685-8

APA Citation style: Gehron, J., & Münch, F. (2025). Multiprofessionalität in der Herzmedizin: Perspektiven in der Perfusiologie und Technischen Medizin. Unde venis, quo vadis?. Zeitschrift für Herz-, Thorax- und Gefäßchirurgie. 39(1), 2-5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00398-024-00685-8