Critical Cases and Perfusion Strategies in Cardiac Surgery Discussed at Üsküdar

The "October Scientific Meeting" was held in collaboration with the Perfusion Department of Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences and the Perfusion Club, which operates within the Health, Culture and Sports (SCS) Department. Within this scope, at the first scientific meeting of the 2026-2027 academic year, pediatric perfusion management, complex cardiac anomalies, and critical case experiences in emergency aortic surgery were comprehensively shared with participants by expert names. 

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

The event was chaired by Prof. Hikmet Koçak, Vice Rector of Üsküdar University and Head of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Ali Kocailik, Head of the Perfusion Department, Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences, Assoc. Prof. Tanıl Özer, and Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon Dr. Şiraslan Bakhshaliyev.  

At the event where Perfusionist Seda Dural, Perfusionist Mehmet Ali Güzelel, and Perfusionist Sude Karaman took part as speakers, Perfusionist Tarık Demir, Perfusionist Cüneyt İmamoğlu, and Perfusionist Emre Can Demiray took part as panelists.

Prof. Hikmet Koçak: “The importance of these meetings is great for making correct decisions in critical moments”

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Vice Rector Prof. Hikmet Koçak made evaluations within a broad framework, from the club's establishment journey to professional competence, from diploma responsibility to the impact of case discussions on surgical success. 
Prof. Hikmet Koçak drew attention to the heavy moral and professional responsibility of issuing a diploma to a physician and health professional; “When we sign a diploma, we sign as an authorized person, saying, 'This person will do everything related to their profession completely.' In addition to the theoretical education and internships you receive at the university, the case presentations here are very important as a third learning path for your professional development and future. Your equipped and knowledgeable upbringing directly reflects in the operating room; a surgeon who trusts the perfusionist behind them can perform surgery much more comfortably on the table. He used the expressions, 'The importance of these meetings is great for making correct decisions in critical moments.'”

Nisa Nur Ömeroğlu: “The heart of perfusion beats in Üsküdar”

Nisa Nur Ömeroğlu, President of Üsküdar Perfusion Club, who delivered the opening speech at the first meeting of the 2026-2027 academic year and the third year of the monthly scientific meetings, touched upon the new period in which she took over the presidency, the strong bonds the club has established with its graduates, and the place of the meetings in professional development. 

Ömeroğlu, who thanked the previous management from whom she took over the duty; “I thank my board members with whom I worked in previous periods and my dear Şevval Sena Aydın, from whom I took over the presidency banner; I wish to carry this banner I have taken over even further in the new period. In the third year of our monthly scientific meetings, I hope for an evening where valuable information from different fields of perfusion will be shared and will add new things to each of us. The presence of our graduates, who once shared the same desks with us, today among us to convey their professional experiences, is the most beautiful indicator of the bonds we have established. She used the expressions, 'The heart of perfusion beats in Üsküdar.'”

Perfusionist Seda Dural: “Prime erythrocyte volume and hemodilution are very important in pediatric perfusion on the pump”

Perfusionist Seda Dural from Atlas University Hospital, who made her presentation titled “Arterial Switch Operation in D-TGA + VSD Case: Pediatric Perfusion Management” in the first session, referred to the case's perfusion preparation, prime calculation, and fluid management; “Prime erythrocyte volume and hemodilution are very important in pediatric perfusion on the pump. We set this as a target of thirty percent before the pump and saw that we needed to take one hundred ninety-three milliliters of erythrocyte suspension. By operating with a high cardiac index throughout the case, we both eased the surgery and protected the patient's kidney functions,” she stated.

Perfusionist Mehmet Ali Güzelel: “This is a team effort”

Mehmet Ali Güzelel, Perfusionist at Medical Park Mersin Hospital, who discussed “Ruptured Aortic Dissection Case Presentation,” addressed the definition of aortic dissection, classification criteria, and hemodynamic challenges encountered during emergency surgical procedures. Güzelel said; “Aortic dissection; an aortic aneurysm is the dilation and ballooning of the aorta, the body's largest main artery, by more than 50% of its normal diameter due to weakening of its wall. Aortic dissection, on the other hand, is an emergency and life-threatening condition caused by the tearing of the inner layer of the aorta, the main artery, and the entry of blood between the layers of the vessel wall. This is a team effort.”

Perfusionist Sude Karaman: “The Fontan procedure is generally the last step in surgery applied for functional single ventricle heart diseases”

Perfusionist Sude Karaman, who presented the case study titled “Cardiopulmonary Bypass Strategy in Fontan Procedure,” addressed the role of the Fontan procedure in functional single ventricle heart diseases, the mechanisms of systemic venous blood diversion to the pulmonary arteries, and cardiopulmonary bypass and fenestration strategies applied in a 9-year-old patient. Karaman explained; “The Fontan procedure is generally the last step in surgery applied for functional single ventricle heart diseases. The aim is to direct systemic venous pulmonary circulation and to ensure that the single ventricle primarily sustains systemic circulation. Systemic venous blood is directed directly to the pulmonary arteries and passively participates in the pulmonary circulation.”

Case Experiences and Interactive Discussion

In the question-and-answer and discussion session that followed the presentations, the use of modified ultrafiltration (MUF) in pediatric perfusion, tube set selections, del Nido cardioplegia protocols, cerebral protection methods, and team synergy in challenging cases were discussed in detail. In the interactive session, enriched by the participation of experts and academics, students had the opportunity to find answers to their questions.

The event concluded after the group souvenir photo taken in memory of the day, followed by refreshments and a conversation session.