Program Goals
Provide students with a strong foundation in the scientific basis of anatomy and physiology, cardiac pharmacology, pathology, laboratory analysis, extracorporeal devices, mechanical circulatory support devices, clinical perfusion management including special patient groups and procedures, blood conservation techniques, patient monitoring, management catastrophic cardiopulmonary bypass events and device failure.
Equip students with the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities to deliver high-quality, culturally responsive, and evidence- based clinical assessment and intervention services.
Foster the development of research expertise to advance the scientific understanding of the impact of clinical perfusion on cardiovascular disease to improve clinical outcomes and develop evidenced best practices culminating in the successful completion of a master’s in clinical perfusion science.
Cultivate ethical, professional, and competent clinical perfusionist who are committed to serving diverse individuals, families, and communities through evidence-based practice, scholarly activity, and community engagement.
Promote an inclusive and supportive learning environment that values diversity, empowers students to reach their full potential, and prepares them for successful careers as leaders in healthcare, academia, and other professional settings.
Coursework
- Curriculum integrates basic sciences, clinical sciences, and applied perfusion techniques to prepares students for professional practice.
- Students gain knowledge in embryology, cardiovascular development, and key disease processes, with emphasis on surgical repair techniques and perfusion management strategies.
- By blending scientific foundations, technical skills, and professional competencies, the curriculum develops graduates who are prepared to meet accreditation standards and excel in the evolving field of clinical perfusion.
Core Lectures Series
The clinical science and techniques sequence progresses to applied perfusion practice, including extracorporeal circulation, congenital and adult procedures, and specialized topics such as blood conservation, coagulation management, and mechanical circulatory support. Pharmacologic principles, including anesthetics, vasoactive medications, and anticoagulants, are taught within a clinical context.
- Advanced Cardiovascular Anatomy
- Extracorporeal Circuitry for Cardiopulmonary Bypass
- Cardiopulmonary Bypass Techniques
- Myocardial Preservation
- Simulation Lab
- Clinical Observation Lab
- Cardiovascular Pathology and Surgical Repair
- Applied Sciences and Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Pharmacology
- Translational Physiology in Perfusion Practice
- Blood Conservation Techniques
- Laboratory Analysis
- Clinical Practicum I
- Leadership & Professionalism Core - Ethics
- Perfusion Safety Techniques
- Mechanical Circulatory Support and Devices
- Clinical Practicum II
- Research Thesis II - Implementation
- Journal Club
- Special Considerations in Perfusion
- Simulation Lab- Emergency Preparedness
- Clinical Practicum III
- Journal Club
- Leadership & Professionalism
- Crisis Management & Conflict Resolution
Clinical Rotations
- Clinical rotations occur at The Texas Heart Institute, Baylor St. Luke’s, Houston VAMC, Dell Children’s and > 25 affiliated hospitals, ensuring exposure to diverse patient cases and surgical techniques.
- All students must meet the minimum requirements of 75 cardiopulmonary bypass procedures, 5 ECMO procedures, 10 pediatric cases, a complex case report presentation project.
Simulation
- Hands-on training is emphasized through laboratory simulation, VR and AI technology, research, and clinical rotations.
Research Project and Opportunities for Academic Scholarship
- Students participate in supervised perfusion procedures, engage in problem-based learning, and conducted research projects aligned with program goals and accreditation standards.
Course Descriptions
Throughout the duration of the program, students are expected to fulfill the following learning outcomes:
- Apply foundational and advanced scientific knowledge of anatomy and physiology, cardiac pharmacology, pathology, laboratory analysis, extracorporeal devices, mechanical circulatory support systems, blood conservation techniques, patient monitoring, and the management of catastrophic cardiopulmonary bypass events and device failures to clinical perfusion practice.
- Demonstrate competent technical performance in the conduct of cardiopulmonary bypass and extracorporeal life support procedures.
- Perform appropriate interventions during high-risk, low-frequency perfusion emergencies, including air embolism, power failure, oxygenator failure, and emergent circuit changeouts.
- Utilize simulation-based experiences to safely manage catastrophic perfusion events and device failures not routinely encountered in the clinical environment.
- Analyze and manage routine and complex clinical perfusion scenarios, including special patient populations, advanced procedures, and catastrophic cardiopulmonary bypass events.
- Deliver high-quality, culturally responsive, and evidence-based clinical perfusion assessment and intervention services through the integration of knowledge, technical skills, and critical thinking.
- Evaluate ethical considerations relevant to preclinical research, clinical research, and clinical perfusion practice.
- Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to improve clinical outcomes and support best practices in perfusion science.
- Design, conduct, and evaluate research related to extracorporeal perfusion technology, including hypothesis development, literature review, research design, and qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
- Apply statistical concepts to interpret research findings and support evidence-based clinical decision-making.
- Complete a research project related to extracorporeal perfusion technology that demonstrates research competence, ethical scholarship, and effective communication of findings.
- Exhibit professional behaviors that support inclusive practice, collaboration, leadership, and lifelong learning, preparing graduates for successful careers in healthcare, academia, and other professional settings.