From the Guidelines
Perfusion laboratories can be categorized into several types, including full-service laboratories, specialized service laboratories, pediatric diagnostic and/or therapeutic catheterization laboratories, and laboratories without in-house cardiovascular surgery, with each type having distinct requirements and equipment needs. The types of perfusion laboratories include:
- Full-service laboratories that offer a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
- Specialized service laboratories that focus on specific areas of interest, such as electrophysiology or pediatric cardiology
- Pediatric diagnostic and/or therapeutic catheterization laboratories that require specialized equipment and personnel
- Laboratories without in-house cardiovascular surgery that offer limited services and require formal arrangements with hospitals that have cardiac surgical support 1. These laboratories must be equipped with specialized equipment, such as heart-lung machines, heater-cooler units, and blood gas analyzers, and must have trained personnel, including perfusionists and physicians, to ensure high-quality patient care 1. The equipment and technology used in perfusion laboratories continue to evolve, and it is essential to have a mechanism in place to assess and integrate new technologies to ensure optimal patient care 1. Some examples of specialized laboratories include:
- Electrophysiology laboratories that require specialized equipment, such as intracardiac echocardiography and advanced 3-dimensional mapping systems
- Pediatric cardiology laboratories that require biplane cineangiographic equipment and proper temperature regulation equipment
- Laboratories that provide peripheral cardiopulmonary support using percutaneous cannulae, which require special expertise, including that of a perfusionist 1.
From the Research
Types of Perfusion Laboratories
There are several types of perfusion laboratories, including:
- Cardiopulmonary bypass laboratories 2, 3, 4
- Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) laboratories 5, 2, 6
- Left heart bypass laboratories 2
- Perfusion laboratories for ventricular assist devices, hemofilters, and catheters 5
Perfusion Equipment and Techniques
Perfusion laboratories use various equipment and techniques, such as:
- Heparin-coated cardiopulmonary bypass circuits 5
- Roller pump perfusion with heparin-coated tubing 5
- Centrifugal pump perfusion with heparin-coated pump heads 5
- Goal-directed perfusion (GDP) 6
- Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) 6
Applications of Perfusion Laboratories
Perfusion laboratories have various applications, including: