Perfusion Program Course Catalog

Students enrolled in the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston’s Perfusion Program undergo a rigorous one-year curriculum that integrates both didactic instruction and hands-on clinical training. This intensive structure adheres to the mandates set forth by the Accreditation Committee for Perfusion Education (AC-PE) and the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP), ensuring a comprehensive and standardized education in the field of perfusion.

The program’s course description and catalog outline a range of foundational and advanced topics essential for the practice of cardiovascular perfusion. Core subjects include the anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology relevant to the cardiovascular system. Beyond these scientific fundamentals, the curriculum emphasizes the principles and practice of perfusion, as well as extensive clinical practicums that prepare students to function competently and confidently in real-world surgical and critical care settings.

This demanding educational model is designed to produce highly skilled perfusionists who are academically and clinically prepared for board certification and professional practice.

Semester 1

Anatomy and Physiology 1

This 3-semester credit hour course will provide the entry-level perfusion student with a detailed overview of specific areas of human anatomy and physiology, to act as a basis for understanding the complex interaction of the open-heart surgery patient with the mechanisms of artificial circulation. Major emphasis will be placed on the structures of the myocardium, myocardial physiology, circulatory dynamics, and hemodynamics.

The course will provide the detailed foundation and analytical skills that are necessary to understand the interplay between the science of extracorporeal technology and the related anatomic, physiologic, and electrophysiologic principles necessary to consider during the initiation, maintenance, and termination of both temporary extracorporeal circulatory support, as well as long-term circulatory support. Students will understand the basic diagnostic principles involved in determining the nature and extent of the disease process necessitating surgical intervention. Primarily, the cardiac, vascular, and conduction systems are covered in this course.

Course work will include both class time and extend into observation within the surgical suite, as well as on the patient wards as warranted.

Principles and Practice in Perfusion Technology 1

This 3 – semester credit hour course will provide the detailed foundation and skills that are necessary to understand the basic science of extracorporeal technology. Students will examine the relationship between blood flow within and outside of the body, and the cardiovascular devices utilized to facilitate extracorporeal circulation. Physiological, anatomical and biochemical aspects will be examined, along with the effect of extracorporeal circulation on organs and tissues.

This course will provide the entry-level student with the fundamental historical and theoretical concepts of extracorporeal circulation, scientific theories, perfusion techniques, and perfusion equipment. Instruction includes substantial course work regarding perfusion equipment and devices. Principles regarding conduct of perfusion and intraoperative management concepts are also covered.

Students will for the most part experience training in the basic science of perfusion care. Course work is offered in both a traditional educational manner, and (in appropriate instances) in a problem-based learning environment.

Course work will include both class time and observation within the surgical suite, as well as on the patient wards as warranted.

Pathophysiology in Perfusion 1

This 2-semester credit hour course will provide the entry-level student with a detailed overview of the specific areas of human cardiovascular pathophysiology to act as a basis for the understanding of the complex interaction of the open-heart surgery patient with the heart-lung machine and other short- and long-term circulatory devices. It will help the student understand the interplay between the science of extracorporeal technology and the pathophysiologic considerations that play a role in the initiation, maintenance, and termination of extracorporeal circulatory support. This course will provide the detailed foundation and skills that are necessary to students to understand the basic diagnostic principles involved in determining the nature and extent of the disease process necessitating surgical intervention. Acquired heart disease processes such as ischemic heart disease, hypertension, valvular pathology, and diseases of the aorta will be examined, as well as other pathologies that may present in conjunction with the use of extracorporeal equipment.

Course work will include both class time and observation within the surgical suite, as well as on the patient wards as warranted.

Clinical Practicum 1

This 4-semester credit hour course will provide the detailed foundation and skills that are necessary to understand the basic clinical science of extracorporeal technology. This clinical course provides an introduction to the concepts of clinical perfusion and cardiac evaluation. This course will provide the detailed foundation and skills that are necessary to understand the set-up process of an open-heart procedure and utilizations of all the major perfusion components and equipment utilized during cardiac surgery. In addition, invasive and non-invasive cardiac evaluation techniques will be discussed and demonstrated regarding the pre-operative selection of open-heart surgery patients. The students will be expected to perform extracorporeal circulation procedures under the direct supervision of a clinical faculty. The student will gain clinical experience in intra- operative surgical management of cardiopulmonary bypass and other perfusion related activities.

The student will be assigned “on call” time including weekends and for emergency procedures. The student call week generally extends from Friday at 7:00am until the following Friday at 7:00am.

Course work will include observation and hands-on experience within the surgical suite, as well as on the patient units as warranted.

Semester 2

Anatomy and Physiology 2

This 3-semester credit hour course will provide the entry-level perfusion student with a detailed overview of specific areas of human anatomy and physiology, to act as a basis for understanding the complex interaction of the open-heart surgery patient with the mechanisms of artificial circulation. Major emphasis will be placed on the physiology, pathology, and laboratory analysis of the formed blood elements, pulmonary system and the renal system.

The course will provide the detailed foundation and analytical skills that are necessary to understand the interplay between the science of extracorporeal technology and the related anatomic and physiologic principles necessary to consider during the initiation, maintenance, and termination of both temporary extracorporeal circulatory support, as well as long-term circulatory support. Students will understand the basic diagnostic principles involved in determining the nature and extent of the disease process necessitating surgical intervention. Primarily, hematology, pulmonology, and renal systems are covered in this course.

Course work will include both class time and extend into observation within the surgical suite, as well as on the patient wards as warranted.

Principles and Practice in Perfusion Technology 2

This 3-semester credit hour course will provide the entry-level student with the detailed foundation and skills that are necessary to understand the basic science of extracorporeal technology as it relates to historic, modern, and future directions of mechanical circulatory assist devices and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. A general introduction to circulatory devices, specific perfusion considerations, surgical implantation techniques, complications, perioperative, and operative management of these devices will be considered. In this course these concepts will be expanded upon as they relate to some historical but mostly specific modern short- and long-term devices and there hardware. This will include both percutaneous and implantable devices. Veno-arterial and veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuity, theory, management, and hardware will also be covered is this series.

After completion of the didactic series, online modules, and vendor in-services, students will take part in clinical rotation with circulatory support specialist in the operative suite and patient wards to apply real world management of these devices. In most cases students will not be able to avaoid significant experience with many of the above topics at some clinical affiliate sites before the official Principles & Practice in Perfusion Technology II begins.

Additional topics will cover patient safety on bypass, perfusion accidents, perfusion considerations for repair of the aorta, management of unusual problems and emergencies in cardiovascular perfusion. Other topics will include perfusion considerations for organ procurement, heart, liver, and lung transplantation.

Pathophysiology in Perfusion 2

This 2-hour course will provide the entry-level student with a detailed overview of the specific areas of pediatric cardiovascular pathophysiology. Acquired heart disease processes such as general developmental biology and embryology, left to right shunts, cyanotic anomalies, obstructive anomalies, congestive heart failure as well as other pathologies that may present in conjunction with the use of extracorporeal equipment. Additionally, pathophysiologic mechanism of heart failure, cardiac infections, the cardiomyopathies, and myocarditis will be discussed in detail. This will act as a basis for the understanding of the complex interaction of the open-heart surgery patient with the heart-lung machine and other short- and long-term circulatory devices. It will help the student understand the interplay between the science of extracorporeal technology and the pathophysiologic considerations that play a role in the initiation, maintenance, and termination of extracorporeal circulatory support.

Course work will include both class time and extend into observation within the surgical suite, as well as on the patient wards as warranted.

Clinical Practicum 2

This 4 – hour course will provide the detailed foundation and skills that are necessary to understand the basic clinical science of extracorporeal technology. This clinical course builds on the rudimentary skills of Clinical Practicum I and also introduces intermediate concepts of clinical perfusion and cardiac evaluation. This course will provide the detailed foundation and skills that are necessary to understand the set-up process of an open-heart procedure and utilizations of all the major perfusion components and equipment utilized during cardiac surgery. In addition, invasive and non-invasive cardiac evaluation techniques will be discussed and demonstrated regarding the pre-operative selection of open-heart surgery patients. The students will be expected to perform extracorporeal circulation procedures under the direct supervision of a clinical faculty. The student will gain clinical experience in intra- operative surgical management of cardiopulmonary bypass and other perfusion related activities.

The student will be assigned “on call” time including weekends and for emergency procedures. The student call week generally extends from Friday at 7:00am until the following Friday at 7:00am.

Course work will include observation and hands-on experience within the surgical suite, as well as on the patient units as warranted.

Semester 3

Pharmacology in Perfusion 1

This 3 – semester credit hour course will provide the entry-level perfusion student with a detailed overview of specific areas of cardiovascular and general pharmacology. An introduction to pharmacologic principles, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics begins the course. Major emphasis will be placed on induction and maintenance of anesthesia, hemostasis management, hemodynamic control, and other topics as they relate to cardiovascular surgery and perfusion technology.

The course will provide the detailed foundation and analytical skills that are necessary to understand the interplay between the science of extracorporeal technology and the related pharmacologic principles necessary to consider during the initiation, maintenance, and termination of both temporary extracorporeal circulatory support, as well as long-term circulatory support. Students will understand the basic pharmacology of both cardiovascular surgery and critical care.

Course work will include both class time and extend into observation within the surgical suite, as well as on the patient wards as warranted.

Principles and Practice in Perfusion Technology 3

This 1 – hour course will provide the entry-level perfusion student with an overview of special topics in perfusion. This will include concepts of biomedical engineering, medical ethics, business practices, continuous quality assurance and bloodborne pathogens and clinician safety.

The course will provide the detailed foundation and analytical skills that are necessary to understand the interplay between the science of extracorporeal technology and the related pharmacologic principles necessary to consider during the initiation, maintenance, and termination of both temporary extracorporeal circulatory support, as well as long-term circulatory support. Students will understand the basic pharmacology of both cardiovascular surgery and critical care.

Course work will include both class time and extend into observation within the surgical suite, as well as on the patient wards as warranted.

Research and Case Report in Perfusion 1

In this 2 – hour course the students will have a choice to conduct an investigative research proposal or an extensive literature review on a controversial topic. The student will work with their choice of staff or an assigned staff, with approval of program director, on a topic of their interest. It will be required to submit the literature review in publication quality form. The student will also be required to present their findings to the faculty and classmates.

This course will include lecture based on the following AC-PE approved cardiovascular perfusion curriculum.

Clinical Practicum 3

This 4 – hour course will provide the detailed foundation and skills that are necessary to understand the basic clinical science of extracorporeal technology. This clinical course builds on the intermediate skills of Clinical Practicum I and II and also focuses on intermediate concepts of clinical perfusion and cardiac evaluation. This course will provide the detailed foundation and skills that are necessary to understand the set-up process of an open-heart procedure and utilizations of all the major perfusion components and equipment utilized during cardiac surgery. In addition, invasive and non-invasive cardiac evaluation techniques will be discussed and demonstrated regarding the pre-operative selection of open-heart surgery patients. The students will be expected to perform extracorporeal circulation procedures under the direct supervision of a clinical faculty. The student will gain clinical experience in intra- operative surgical management of cardiopulmonary bypass and other perfusion related activities.

The student will be assigned “on call” time including weekends and for emergency procedures. The student call week generally extends from Friday at 7:00am until the following Friday at 7:00am.

Course work will include observation and hands-on experience within the surgical suite, as well as on the patient units as warranted.