International Pediatric Perfusion Practice: 2016 Survey Results

New cardiopulmonary bypass device techniques emerge and are reported in the scientific literature. The extent to which they are actually adopted into clinical practice is not well known. Since 1989, we have periodically surveyed pediatric cardiac centers to ascertain practice patterns. In December 2016, a 186-question perfusion survey was distributed to pediatric cardiac surgery centers all over the world using a Web-based survey tool. Responses were received from 93 North American (NA) centers (the United States and Canada) and 67 non-NA (NNA) centers, representing 19,645 cumulative annual procedures in NA and 27,776 in NNA centers on patients <18 years. Wide variation in practice was evident across geographic regions. However, the most common pediatric circuit consisted of a hard-shell (open) venous reservoir, an arterial roller pump, and a hollow-fiber membrane oxygenator with a separate or integrated arterial filter. Compared with our previous surveys, there was increased utilization of all types of safety devices. The use of an electronic perfusion record was reported by 50% of NA centers and 31% of NNA centers. There was wide regional variation in cardioplegia delivery systems and cardioplegia solutions. Seventy-nine percent of the centers reported the use of some form of modified ultrafiltration. The survey demonstrated that there remains variation in perfusion practice for pediatric patients. Future surveys will be useful to evaluate the adoption of emerging perfusion practice guidelines.