Curriculum Overview
The program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in both the science and practice of cardiovascular perfusion. The curriculum begins with two semesters of intensive didactic and laboratory coursework that prepare students for immersive clinical training during the second year of the program.
During clinical education, students work one-on-one with experienced clinical instructors and actively participate in a wide variety of procedures, including adult and pediatric open-heart surgeries as well as other cases requiring the expertise of a perfusionist. This individualized training allows students to develop the knowledge, technical skills, and professional judgment necessary for successful clinical practice.
Instruction is provided by an interdisciplinary team of perfusionists, cardiothoracic surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare professionals who bring extensive clinical and educational experience to the classroom and operating room. In addition to perfusion science and clinical practice, the curriculum incorporates training in research, technology, management, and the professional responsibilities associated with perfusion practice, including on-call responsibilities.
Established in 1992, the University of Iowa Perfusion Education Program has a long-standing tradition of excellence in perfusion education. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Upon successful completion of the curriculum, graduates are awarded a certificate in perfusion and become eligible to sit for the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion certification examinations.
Coursework Schedule
Schedule
| Semester | Hours | Course Number | Course Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall (first year) | 4 | PERF 4161 | Instrumentation in Perfusion |
| 2 | PERF 4162 | Pathophysiology for Perfusion I | |
| 2 | PERF 4172 | Pharmacology for Perfusion I | |
| 2 | PERF 4169 | Clinical Experience I | |
| 1 | PERF 4167 | Perfusion Seminar I | |
| 1 | PERF 4168 | Research in Perfusion I | |
| Spring (first year) | 4 | PERF 4170 | Principles and Practice of Perfusion |
| 2 | PERF 4171 | Devices in Perfusion | |
| 2 | PERF 4162 | Pathophysiology for Perfusion II | |
| 2 | PERF 4173 | Pharmacology for Perfusion II | |
| 2 | PERF 4169 | Clinical Experience II | |
| 1 | PERF 4167 | Perfusion Seminar II | |
| 1 | PERF 4168 | Research in Perfusion II | |
| Summer (first year) | 12 | PERF 4169 | Clinical Experience III |
| 1 | PERF 4167 | Perfusion Seminar III | |
| 1 | PERF 4168 | Research in Perfusion III | |
| Fall (second year) | 12 | PERF 4169 | Clinical Experience IV |
| 1 | PERF 4167 | Perfusion Seminar IV | |
| 1 | PERF 4168 | Research in Perfusion IV | |
| Spring (second year) | 12 | PERF 4169 | Clinical Experience V |
| 1 | PERF 4167 | Perfusion Seminar V | |
| 1 | PERF 4168 | Research in Perfusion V |
Course Descriptions
Instrumentation in Perfusion (PERF:4161)
Semester Hours: 4
Description: Electrical circuitry, filters, pressure transducers, thermistors, cardiac output computers, fluid dynamics, intra-aortic balloon pumps, blood gas analyzers
Prerequisite: Perfusion Education Program enrollment
Pathophysiology of Perfusion I (PERF:4162)
Semester Hours: 2
Description: Hemostasis, acid base physiology, gas transfer, heart anatomy, heart embryology, congenital cardiac defects
Prerequisite: Perfusion Education Program enrollment
Pharmacology for Perfusion I (PERF:4172)
Semester Hours: 2
Prerequisite: Perfusion Education Program enrollment
Clinical Experience I (PERF:4169)
Semester Hours: 2
Description: Perfusion in operating room; patient work-up, observation and reporting on extracorporeal setup, surgical procedure
Prerequisite: Perfusion Education Program enrollment
Perfusion Seminar I (PERF:4167)
Semester Hours: 1
Description: Ethics in perfusion
Prerequisite: Perfusion Education Program enrollment
Research in Perfusion I (PERF:4168)
Semester Hours: 1
Description: Topic selection to manuscript
Prerequisite: Perfusion Education Program enrollment
Principles and Practice of Perfusion (PERF:4170)
Semester Hours: 4
Description: Hypothermia, hemodilution, left heart bypass, dialysis, ultrafiltration, membrane and bubbler oxygenation
Prerequisite: STAT:3510, PERF:4133, PERF:4161, PERF:4162, PERF:4163
Devices in Perfusion (PERF:4171)
Semester Hours: 2
Description: Components of extracorporeal circuit, in vitro laboratory evaluation of components
Prerequisite: STAT:3510, PERF:4133, PERF:4161, PERF:4162, PERF:4163
Pathophysiology of Perfusion II (PERF:4162)
Semester Hours: 2
Description: Hemostasis, acid base physiology, gas transfer, heart anatomy, heart embryology, congenital cardiac defects
Prerequisite: Perfusion Education Program enrollment
Pharmacology for Perfusion II (PERF:4172)
Semester Hours: 2
Prerequisite: Perfusion Education Program enrollment
Clinical Experience II (PERF:4164)
Semester Hours: 2
Description: Continuation of PERF:4163; setup of the extracorporeal circuit, ancillary duties of the perfusionist
Prerequisite: STAT:3510, PATH:8133, PERF:4161, PERF:4162, PERF:4163
Perfusion Seminar II (PERF:4167)
Semester Hours: 1
Description: Ethics in perfusion
Prerequisite: Perfusion Education Program enrollment
Research in Perfusion II (PERF:4168)
Semester Hours: 1
Description: Topic selection to manuscript
Prerequisite: Perfusion Education Program enrollment
Clinical Experience III (PERF:4165)
Semester Hours: 12
Description: Continuation of 193:164; management of cardiopulmonary bypass system
Prerequisite: PCOL:4130, PERF:4164, PERF:4170, PERF:4171
Perfusion Seminar III (PERF:4167)
Semester Hours: 1
Description: Ethics in perfusion
Prerequisite: Perfusion Education Program enrollment
Research in Perfusion III (PERF:4168)
Semester Hours: 1
Description: Topic selection to manuscript
Prerequisite: Perfusion Education Program enrollment
Clinical Experience IV (PERF:4166)
Semester Hours: 12
Description: Continuation of PERF:4165; emphasis on supply maintenance, perfusion department management
Prerequisite: PERF:4165
Perfusion Seminar IV (PERF:4167)
Semester Hours: 1
Description: Ethics in perfusion
Prerequisite: Perfusion Education Program enrollment
Research in Perfusion IV (PERF:4168)
Semester Hours: 1
Description: Topic selection to manuscript
Prerequisite: Perfusion Education Program enrollment
Clinical Experience V (PERF:4169)
Semester Hours: 12
Description: Continuation of PERF:4166
Prerequisite: PERF:4166
Perfusion Seminar V (PERF:4167)
Semester Hours: 1
Description: Ethics in perfusion
Prerequisite: Perfusion Education Program enrollment
Research in Perfusion V (PERF:4168)
Semester Hours: 1
Description: Topic selection to manuscript
Prerequisite: Perfusion Education Program enrollment