The “December Scientific Meeting” was held in collaboration with the Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Perfusion, and the Perfusion Club affiliated with the Health, Culture and Sports (SKS) Department. Many critical topics, ranging from blood conservation methods in open heart surgery to minimally invasive surgery, from perfusion management in challenging conditions to case analyses, were discussed.
The meeting, held at the Ibn Sina Auditorium of Üsküdar University NP Health Campus, was chaired by Prof. Dr. Ali Kocailik, Head of the Department of Perfusion, Faculty of Health Sciences, and Health Sciences University Faculty Member Arif Gücü from Sultangazi Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic.
At the event, where Perfusionist Serkan Cin, Perfusionist Büşra Nur Karavar, and Perfusionist Resul Çalış were speakers, Perfusionist Tarık Demir, Perfusionist İsmail Yerli, and Perfusionist Serkan Polat participated as panelists.
Şevval Sena Aydın: “Experiences are the strongest foundation for our future…”
In her opening speech, Perfusion Club President Şevval Sena Aydın emphasized that the meetings have transformed into a sustainable professional development platform. Aydın stated that this stability is not just a calendar discipline; “As students just starting our journey, we believe that blending our theoretical knowledge with the invaluable field experiences of you, our esteemed professional colleagues, is the strongest foundation for our future. We are determined to add another brick to our own development every month.”
Perfusionist Serkan Cin: “We succeeded in keeping hemoglobin levels significantly high”
Perfusionist Serkan Cin from Demiroğlu Bilim University Şişli Florence Nightingale Hospital, in his presentation titled “Retrograde Autologous Priming (RAP),” discussed techniques for preventing hemodilutional anemia in open-heart surgery. Sharing the results of their prospective randomized study, Cin stated; “Thanks to the RAP technique, where we fill the system with the patient’s own blood and remove the priming solution, we succeeded in keeping hemoglobin levels significantly high during the operation. In our study, the need for blood transfusion in the RAP applied group decreased to almost zero, and this method, which does not impose an additional burden on the patient, should become a low-cost and safe standard.”
Perfusionist Büşra Nur Karavar: “Working in a restricted area in minimal surgery requires an experienced team”
Perfusionist Büşra Nur Karavar from Memorial Göztepe Hospital emphasized the increasing responsibility of the perfusionist in surgeries performed with small incisions. Karavar, who shared the successful process they applied in a 48-year-old patient, stated; “Working in a restricted area in minimal surgery requires an experienced team. We successfully ensured organ perfusion and metabolic stability using peripheral cannulation and vacuum-assisted venous drainage techniques. Our patient’s discharge on the 4th day proves the success of this strategy in terms of patient comfort and recovery speed.”
Perfusionist Resul Çalış: “Professional competence is revealed in times of crisis”
Perfusionist Resul Çalış from Dr. Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital, sharing his experiences in challenging geographies outside ideal clinical conditions, drew attention to the vital importance of professional adaptation. Çalış stated: “A perfusionist should not give up when encountering devices without an oxygen mixer or with missing safety sensors; they should find solutions with their knowledge of physiology. Routine checks and safety checklists are essential, but true professional competence is the ability to manage unexpected crises and impossibilities with knowledge and experience. Professional competence is revealed in times of crisis.”
Case examples discussed interactively
Following the presentations, a Q&A session was held with Perfusionist Serkan Polat from Sultangazi Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Üsküdar University Lecturer Tarık Demir, and Üsküdar University Lecturer İsmail Yerli as panelists.
Participants had the opportunity to discuss case examples interactively with the panelists.
The meeting concluded after a group photo session.