Current approaches in perfusion science discussed at Üsküdar

The '4th Perfusion Congress' was organized by the Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences Perfusion Department and the Perfusion Club affiliated with the Department of Health, Culture and Sports, within the scope of Perfusion Week. At the congress, held with the participation of expert academicians in the field, the critical role of perfusionists in health services, the importance of training qualified specialists, and the contribution of technological developments to the field were discussed. During the three-day congress, speakers emphasized that perfusion aims not only to keep the patient alive but also to improve quality of life, and drew attention to the importance of innovative applications such as artificial intelligence and ECMO. 

On the first day of the congress, an ECMO simulation course was held at NP Health Campus. Within the scope of the course, where theory was put into practice, priming applications, set changes and crisis management, oxygenator obstruction scenario, Harlequin syndrome in VA ECMO, recirculation with flow reduction and venous return problems in VM ECMO were discussed.

On the second day of the congress, the opening speeches at the Ibn Sina Auditorium of Üsküdar University NP Health Campus were attended by many experts in the field, including President of Üsküdar University Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, Vice-Rector Prof. Hikmet Koçak, and Head of the Faculty of Health Sciences Perfusion Department Prof. Ali Kocailik.

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “The training of qualified perfusionists is a factor that directly affects the quality of health services”

President of Üsküdar University Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan delivered the opening speech of the program. Tarhan said; “Cardiovascular surgery stands out as one of the most important professions with extremely high error sensitivity. Even the smallest mistake made by perfusionists in this field can have consequences that directly affect a person's life. Therefore, further specialization in this field, working with extreme care, and acting with a high sense of responsibility are of great importance. We have always attached importance to perfusion, but progress in this area has not been easy. If we have been able to establish a distinguished laboratory here today, I have been thanked, but I especially want to thank our Prof. Ali. Because he truly believed in this subject and worked with great effort and sincerity. We also tried to provide support within our means. Although it seems we have reached our goal for now, there are still ways to go. Training knowledgeable and well-equipped specialists is especially important. This will increase the quality of surgeries and reduce error rates. The training of qualified perfusionists is a factor that directly affects the quality of health services.”

Prof. Hikmet Koçak: “The aim is not only to keep alive but also to improve the quality of life”

Vice-Rector Prof. Hikmet Koçak spoke at the opening of the program. Koçak said; “We are talking about a profession that serves life, and investments made in this field are never wasteful. Perfusion also carries a special value because it directly touches human life. This field, which went through difficult processes such as hypothermia and cross-circulation in the past, has reached today with great sacrifices. Today, the aim is not only to keep alive but also to improve the quality of life. Applications such as ECMO and artificial intelligence-supported technologies have become an important part of this process. The basic principle in all these developments is the same: to provide the highest benefit to the patient with the least harm. Minimally invasive approaches are one of the most concrete examples of this. Using technology correctly and continuously following developments are indispensable for this field.”

Prof. Ali Kocailik: “Today, skill has gained more importance than knowledge”

Head of the Faculty of Health Sciences Perfusion Department Prof. Ali Kocailik delivered the opening speech within the scope of the program. Kocailik said; “We specifically chose Perfusion Week to organize this congress and aimed to add value to the field. Perfusion is an extremely important profession. So is surgery. However, surgeons cannot work without perfusionists. Today, perfusionists can also work in intensive care and emergency services without surgeons. This shows that we are two parts of a whole that complement each other like flesh and nail. Today, I especially want to express my gratitude. Currently, there are three undergraduate programs in Turkey, and Üsküdar University Perfusion Department is by far leading in this field. With its strong academic staff and well-equipped laboratory infrastructure, it is in a pioneering position not only in Turkey but also in Europe. Nowadays, skill has gained more importance than knowledge. Access to information is easy. Thanks to artificial intelligence and the internet, it is at our fingertips at all times. However, skill is personal and is the factor that makes the real difference. Therefore, we can confidently say that the heart of Perfusion beats in Üsküdar and will continue to beat.” 

Prof. Enver Duran: “Behind every successful heart surgeon, there is always a strong perfusionist and their team”

Instructor Prof. Enver Duran from Arel University Faculty of Medicine spoke at the opening of the program. Duran said; “Perfusion is a respected and extremely important profession. In fact, for me, it is a sacred profession. Because it is a field that directly touches human life and requires great responsibility. Behind every successful heart surgeon, there is always a strong perfusionist and their team. Looking at our history, we see that this profession has gone through a significant development process. Starting in 1969 as a person cleaning the pump, perfusion was an intermediate profession learned through a 'master-apprentice' relationship for many years. However, today, we proudly say that perfusion has become a respected and professional profession. It is of great importance not to forget the teachers and pioneering figures who contributed to this development and to research their history. The word 'Perfusion' also reflects the meaning of the profession. This French-derived word means 'to flow through'. You literally flow life, keeping the patient alive even when the heart is not working. To be a good perfusionist, theoretical knowledge alone is not enough. In addition to a studious and researching nature, a careful eye, a steady hand, and an effectively working mind are required. Furthermore, being able to use artificial intelligence correctly has become an important part of the profession today.”

Scientific presentations were made at the congress

Following the opening speeches, the scientific sessions of the congress began. The first session was chaired by Vice-Rector Prof. Hikmet Koçak, Instructor Prof. Enver Duran from Arel University Faculty of Medicine, and Perfusionist İsmail Yerli.

In the session, Perf. Nihat Fırat Sipahi presented “From Zero to eCPR’a – Establishing an ECMO Center at Tier 2”, Perf. Pınar Karaca Baysal presented “IHCA eCPR Koşuyolu Experience”, Perf. Mücahit Avcil presented “The Role of Emergency Clinics in ECPR: Situation in Turkey and the World”, and Perf. Batuhan Çelik presented “ECPR Situation in the World, Where Are We in Turkey?”.

On the last day of the congress, participants gathered in sessions on Blood Conservation Methods, Perfusion Management, Myocardial Protection, and Perfusion Safety. 

The presentations, contributed by experts in the field, were followed with great interest by the participants. The event concluded with a group photo session.