International Perfusion Association

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Heart to Heart Mission

For more than 20 years, the IPA has performed life-saving heart surgery on over 400 patients in Santiago, Dominican Republic.

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Honduras Mission

The IPA is working with Duke to expand their heart surgery mission program in Honduras. We have a mission trip planned for mid-May. Stay tuned for more information.

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Your Mission Trip

The IPA will gladly make donations to qualified charitable organizations who perform cardiac surgery mission work for patients in need.

600+

Patients served

Help Mend a Heart!

Every member of our team is an unpaid volunteer, so please take comfort in knowing that 100% of all donated funds go directly to patient care. Your generosity is so very welcome and will help save lives!

— Latest News —

Perfusion Comm

Fostering Open Communication in Perfusion and Cardiothoracic Surgery: A Critical Call to Action

The article emphasizes the importance of open communication within the perfusion and cardiothoracic surgery community to improve patient safety and outcomes. It advocates for all team members, including nurses, anesthesiologists, and perfusionists, to actively share insights and concerns. A culture that encourages speaking up without fear of repercussions, coupled with the use of debriefs, root cause analyses, and data management systems, is essential for continuous improvement. The adoption of the WHO surgical safety checklist and a strong speak-up culture are highlighted as crucial steps for elevating perfusion care standards and enhancing patient care.

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Health.edu

Exploring Online International Health Professions Education: A Mixed Methods Review

This study investigates the feasibility and early outcomes of online international health professions education, specifically in Cardiovascular Perfusion. Using mixed methods, the research identified barriers, facilitators, and initial results of implementing an online Extracorporeal Science (ECS) program compared to traditional in-person training. Qualitative analysis highlighted primary and subthemes leading to targeted interventions in the ECS program design. Quantitative data showed no significant difference in student performance and satisfaction between online and traditional cohorts, indicating that online international education in health professions can achieve outcomes comparable to conventional methods.

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ECPELLA

Temporary Extracorporeal Life Support: Single-Center Experience with a New Concept

This study explores the efficacy of a novel ECMELLA setup combining veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (va-ECMO) with a micro-axial flow pump in treating cardiogenic shock (CS). Analyzing data from 67 patients treated between December 2020 and December 2022, the study found the technique feasible and effective, with a 27% myocardial recovery rate and a 24% transition rate to durable LVADs. Despite a 49% mortality rate on support, the single-artery cannulation approach showed relatively low access-related complications. This single-center experience suggests ECMELLA 2.0/2.1 as a promising therapy for severe CS with a focus on reducing complications related to access sites.

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