Championing Change: Clinical Perfusion department acquires state-of-the-art technology
Operating largely behind the scenes in theatres, Clinical Perfusionists play a vital but often unseen role in lifesaving care. Responsible for managing advanced life‑support technologies such as the heart‑lung machine, they maintain a patient’s circulation and oxygenation during complex cardiac, pulmonary, and transplant procedures. The team also leads on ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), providing temporary heart‑and‑lung support for the most critically ill patients.
At Cardiff and Vale UHB, Senior Clinical Perfusionist Gethin Boyle is now leading a significant upgrade to this essential technology, the procurement of a new generation of heart‑lung machines. These digital workstations are major long‑term investments, typically supporting theatre services for over a decade. With the existing machines reaching the end of their ten‑year life, the department is preparing to transition to the next era of perfusion technology.
Recognising the importance of this equipment to patient safety and surgical excellence, Welsh Government has committed funding for the replacement technology. Now the focus turns to Gethin and the wider team to determine which system will best support patients, surgeons, and operational needs well into the future.
How the team is identifying the best‑fit technology
When asked about the process of selecting the right device for the hospital, Gethin explained:
“We have invited Industry to bring their Heart Lung Machines in for some in-depth training and clinical audit. There are several considerations that need to be assessed in relation to our use as a department: value for money, clinical governance, technological and safety enhancements, ability to connect with third party devices and ultimately, of any enhanced benefit to the patient. We then must discuss as a group and score the devices appropriately.”
This structured approach ensures every option is evaluated not only for functionality and safety, but also for how well it integrates into the department’s workflows and responds to the growing complexity of cardiac care.
Preparing the team for new technology
Introducing a new generation of digital interfaces brings training requirements for the team, even with their deep baseline expertise. Gethin explained:
“As perfusionists, we are already competent in the use of several different devices as the principles of clinical perfusion remain the same. With the new interfaces and in many technological advances with the new devices, we must undertake in-depth training on the devices which will include being signed off as competent by the clinical specialists employed by the companies. Industry will then also employ a proctor for the inaugurate clinical uses to ensure the devices are used correctly, to help troubleshoot and to customise to the specific departments requirements. As with airline pilots, Clinical Perfusion Scientists must have in depth knowledge on the working of all technologies and be proficient in all aspects of emergency scenarios. For which, we regularly undertake emergency scenario simulation.”
This blend of manufacturer‑led competency sign‑off and hands‑on scenario‑based training ensures the team is fully prepared before any device is used with patients.
Impact on the theatre team
For colleagues across theatres, from surgeons to scrub nurses, the introduction of these machines will subtly shift how the environment operates. Gethin shared:
“For the surgeons and nurses, the main difference will be seeing a newer device with potentially a smaller footprint. For the patient and perfusionist, the devices will provide more safety functions such as linked safety checks to ensure all functions are working and connected before allowing the devices to be operated. Time accurate recording of all functions, patient and heart lung machine, for governance purposes. Some level of automation will also be available on newer devices to allow the perfusionist to concentrate on specific actions. The devices will also allow accurate recording of individual flows which is required for selective perfusion such as antegrade cerebral perfusion or visceral perfusion techniques. With major Aortic work becoming increasingly complex, it is imperative that we have the technology in place to accurately provide individualised cardiopulmonary support.”
These advances promise greater precision, enhanced safety, and more streamlined data capture, all of which support increasingly sophisticated surgical procedures and patient pathways.