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Updated: Nov 10, 2025
An Open-Source Normothermic Perfusion System Designed for Research Scientists
Published on: July 18, 2025
International Pediatric Perfusion Practice: 2016 Survey Results
Ashley Walcƶak1, Thomas Klein1, Jordan Voss1
1The Heart Center Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Norton Children's Hospital, University of Louisville Physicians, Louisville, Kentucky; All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India; A. N. Bakulev National Medical Research Center of Cardiovascular Surgery, Moscow, Russia; Heart Institute, University of São Paulo, Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil; and Cardiothoracic Surgery, Tenwek Mission Hospital, Bomet, Kenya.
Pediatric cardiac surgery centers show wide variations in cardiopulmonary bypass practices globally. While safety device use increased, regional differences persist in perfusion techniques and equipment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Biomedical Engineering
- Pediatric Critical Care
Background:
- New cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) device techniques are frequently published.
- The clinical adoption rates of these novel CPB techniques remain largely unknown.
- Periodic surveys since 1989 have tracked practice patterns in pediatric cardiac centers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess current pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass practices worldwide.
- To identify regional variations in CPB techniques and equipment utilization.
- To evaluate the adoption of emerging safety devices and electronic record-keeping.
Main Methods:
- A 186-question online survey on perfusion practices was distributed in December 2016.
- Responses were collected from 93 North American (NA) and 67 non-NA (NNA) pediatric cardiac surgery centers.
- Data represented over 47,000 annual pediatric procedures (<18 years).
Main Results:
- Significant practice variations were observed across geographic regions.
- The most common pediatric CPB circuit included a hard-shell venous reservoir, roller pump, and membrane oxygenator.
- Increased utilization of safety devices was noted; 50% of NA centers used electronic perfusion records versus 31% of NNA centers.
- Regional differences in cardioplegia delivery and modified ultrafiltration (79% utilization) were evident.
Conclusions:
- Substantial variation in pediatric CPB practices persists globally.
- Increased adoption of safety devices is a positive trend.
- Future surveys are essential to monitor the integration of new perfusion guidelines into clinical practice.
