I am currently at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA. Yesterday I was involved in one of the longer cases I've had and figured I could share it on here. It was a Bentall with circ arrest. However, the surgeon wanted me to go on bypass BEFORE he opened the chest. And during circ arrest for opening the chest. Interesting... huh?
Well, he cannulated the axillary artery with a Vascutek 8mm graft and the femoral vein with a 23/25 Estech venous cannula. We went on and cooled to 18 degrees, turned off the pump, and about 3 hours later we were warm and weaned off pump. However, this is not the end. After 2 more pump runs, a CABG, and IABP, it was determined that the patient needed ECMO. In room time: 0715. Out of room time: 0530. 22 hours. On average, there are 15 surgeries/week. Cedars: 10 Perfusionists, 6 surgeons, 3 fellows, a large VAD/Transplant program (#1 Transplant), the PARTNER trial, TEVAR hybrid standby, cell saver for orthopedic surgery and liver transplant coverage with veno-venous. There is usually at least one day/week you will be at the hospital longer than 20 hours and may be expected to be back for the cases the next day. I pumped 60 cases in 3 months.
Primary Children's in Salt Lake City, Utah was phenomenal for pediatrics. I really enjoyed the staff, surgeons and overall "feel" in the OR. I felt comfortable in pumping pediatrics with great Preceptors helping me learn the Peds side of Perfusion. I pumped 66 cases in 3 months.
I agree with a previous post (Bret's) to be prepared for anything when you go into the hospital and know that there is not much of a routine "schedule" in Perfusion.
If you have an questions about either site, please let me know. My email is ariannagrether@gmail.com or call my cell 541-941-3132.
Good Luck! :)
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