Advanced cardiovascular surgery and perfusion techniques discussed

The tenth of the monthly scientific meetings, organized in cooperation with the Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences Perfusion Department and the Perfusion Club, which operates within the Health, Culture and Sports (HCS) Department, was held. Case presentations on advanced cardiovascular surgery and perfusion techniques were made at the meeting. Clinical experiences on multidisciplinary work and innovative perfusion approaches were examined together. 

The meeting was held at Üsküdar University NP Health Campus Ibn Sina Auditorium. 

The program was conducted under the session chairmanship of Prof. Mehmet Balkanay, Dr. Kadir Doğruer and Prof. Bedrettin Yıldızeli. 

The speakers who made presentations at the meeting, where the panelists were Üsküdar University Perfusion Instructor Perfusionist  Tarık Demir, Dr. Perfusionist  Mustafa Eren, and Perfusionist Hülya Yük, were graduates of Üsküdar University.  

Şevval Sena Aydın: “Perfusion grows not only with technical knowledge but also with the transfer of experience”

Şevval Sena Aydın, President of Üsküdar Perfusion Club, emphasized her excitement at the realization of the tenth scientific meeting in her opening speech. Aydın; “These meetings, which we started with the aim of increasing professional sharing, have grown with our common enthusiasm over time and turned into a tradition in the perfusion community. Reaching the tenth meeting is not just a numerical success but an indicator of stability, effort, and our shared passion for our profession. Because we know that perfusion grows and develops not only with technical knowledge but also with the transfer of experience, collaborative learning, and by keeping the professional culture alive.” she said. 

Perfusionist Tolunay Sağlam: “Symptoms progress somewhat insidiously in the clinical process”

Tolunay Sağlam, Perfusionist at Kartal Koşuyolu High Specialty EAH, who made a presentation titled “Perfusion in Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy,” discussed technical choices and perfusion management in pulmonary endarterectomy operations, including PVR and gas management, nitric oxide preference, and heat management. Sağlam; “Unresolved thrombi after acute pulmonary embolism chronicize the pulmonary bed over time. This leads to an increase in pulmonary arterial pressure and consequently right ventricular hypertrophy. Symptoms progress somewhat insidiously in the clinical process. I want to contribute regarding why we do not use carbon dioxide. After the right ventricle's normal afterload decreases, things like hypercapnia and acidosis increase PVR. In other words, we do not want this after the vascular bed is cleared. That's why nitric oxide is preferred more because it dilates the vascular bed.” he stated. 

Perfusionist  Şule Çetin: “We aim to preserve tissue viability”

Şule Çetin, Perfusionist at Başakşehir Çam and Sakura Hospital, speaking under the title “Isolated Limb Perfusion in Trauma Surgery,” shared the case of a 39-year-old male patient whose right leg was amputated below the knee. She stated that success in such cases is strictly dependent on factors such as ischemia time, cold chain transport method, and the patient's general hemodynamic status. Çetin; “Traumatic amputation means the complete separation of a limb from the body after high-energy traumas. Especially in delayed presentations, we aim to preserve tissue viability by applying temporary extracorporeal perfusion to the limb. This approach creates an important infrastructure for the development of programs not only in traumatic replantation but also in future large limb transplants.” she concluded. 

Perfusionist Zeynep Bayraktutar: “For success, correct timing is as vital as advanced technology”

Zeynep Bayraktar, Perfusionist at İstinye University Gaziosmanpaşa Hospital, gave the final presentation of the meeting titled “Perfusion Management in Acute Right Heart Failure After LVAD: Veno-Pulmonary ECMO with Pulmonary Artery Graft.” She addressed acute right heart failure, one of the most challenging complications encountered after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, and perfusion management strategies in this process. Bayraktutar; “Heart failure is a complex syndrome with a severe prognosis that requires multifaceted treatment, where the heart cannot pump enough blood to the tissues due to structural or functional disorders. The decision for mechanical support should be made at stage 3 or 4, before the patient reaches level 1, i.e., while organ functions are not yet impaired. This is the most important factor determining the patient's prognosis. The most fundamental factor determining success in LVAD surgery is the timely referral of the patient. For success, correct timing is as vital as advanced technology.” she stated. 

A scientific discussion environment was created with additional contributions from experts and questions from students. 

The tenth Monthly Scientific Meeting concluded with a group photo session.