HealthSeptember 3, 2026

perfusionist

pur-FYOO-zhuh-nist

Definition

A specialized healthcare professional who operates the heart-lung machine and other equipment used to support or replace the function of the heart and lungs during complex surgeries.

Etymology

Derived from the verb 'perfuse,' which comes from the Latin 'perfundere' meaning 'to pour over or through.' The suffix '-ist' denotes the person who performs this specific medical action.

In the news

In the article, the perfusionist is mentioned as a critical member of the surgical team, illustrating the author's point that surgery is a collaborative team sport where the surgeon relies on various specialists to achieve successful patient outcomes.

Expert Insights on Cancer Care Leadership With Professor Timothy Eberlein

Read the full article ↗

Bioengineer.org

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