The perfusionist has an interdisciplinary job description that comprises:

• the use of complex medical technology
• carrying out the instructions of the physicians from the fields of cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgery, cardiology, pediatric cardiology, cardiac anaesthesiology and laboratory medicine as well as
• fulfilling the individual needs of the patient.

The scope of duties of the perfusionist includes the following, which are constantly being upgraded in view of further technical and clinical developments:

• extracorporeal circulation in adults, children and neonates: independent operation of the heart-lung machine in a team that includes the cardiac surgeon and anesthesist
• procedures for circulatory support
• minimally invasive cardiac surgery
• monitoring of vital parameters
• procedures of blood preparation
• analysis of blood gas and chemistry
• cardiac rhythm therapy / pacemaker
• organ transplantation
• documentation and statistics
• research
• activities specific to the institution