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Perfusion is the science concerned with the diffusion and transsemination of nutrient-rich blood throughout the body. Frequently during cardiac surgery it is necessary to temporarily suspend the normal perfusion function of the heart and lungs while the surgeon operates on the heart or aorta (the large artery carrying oxygenated blood away from the heart). At this time, the patient's own circulatory functions are stopped and transferred to a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit using a heart-lung machine.

During this CPB procedure, the patient's venous (deoxygenated) blood is diverted to an artificial disposable "oxygenator" which adds oxygen to the blood thereby assuming the patient's lungfunction. Another vital component of the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit is the "pump" which actively propels the now-oxygenated blood back into the patient's circulation at an appropriate flow rate thus taking the place of the patient's normal heart function.

This artificial cardiopulmonary bypass circulation is called "extracorporeal circulation" or ECC, because it occurs outside the patient's body. During this temporary bypass the patient's metabolic parameters such as temperature, anesthesia level, kidney function and blood chemistry are carefully monitored and can be adjusted if necessary.

The health care professional called a Perfusionist is responsible (under physician supervision) for the assembly of the CPB circuit and monitoring of the patient's metabolic status during extracorporeal circulation. A certified clinical perfusionist (CCP) is a professional who has graduated from an accredited perfusion education program and has successfully passed a national examination. In order to provide optimal patient care, continuing education is mandatory to assure that the perfusionist keeps their knowledge base updated.

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