Welcoming New Horizons: Embracing Innovation in Cardiac Surgery Through the Sarns Terumo Perfusion Award Fellowship

First, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF) for their unwavering dedication and support in making this fellowship opportunity possible. Their commitment to training healthcare professionals from developing countries, such as Chile, is invaluable.

Observership Experience

I successfully completed observership in Perfusion with Dr. Michael Chu mid-Spring 2025 at University Hospital in London, Ontario. During this time, I focused on learning advanced perfusion techniques for complex aortic reconstructive surgery, hypothermic circulatory arrest, minimally invasive and endoscopic valve repair and replacement surgery, and aortic root reconstructive operations. I also gained experience in emergency perfusion techniques for rescue in TAVI complications, as well as advanced ECMO and mechanical circulatory support. It was a pleasure to join the team, and I would welcome the opportunity to return should it arise.

Achievements of the Fellowship

My primary objective was to gain a comprehensive understanding of the daily responsibilities of perfusionists in a high-volume center and to acquire detailed knowledge of the techniques and protocols applied in complex aortic arch surgeries as well as minimally invasive procedures.

After one month in the rotation, I can confidently say that the objectives were fully achieved, these observations provided invaluable insights into the adaptation of CPB techniques for minimally invasive cardiac surgeries, emphasizing the importance of close collaboration between the surgical team, anesthesiologists, and perfusionists to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

This fellowship not only provided me with the skills and knowledge necessary to improve patient care but also empowers me to contribute to the ongoing development of cardiac surgery and perfusion practices in my country. I am committed to sharing what I have learned with my colleagues, ensuring that we can provide the highest standard of care to our patients and continue to serve humanity effectively.

London Health Sciences Centre: Cardiac Surgery Excellence

The London Health Sciences Centre is a high-volume cardiac surgery center, performing over 1,600 procedures annually. Its main focus is the development of minimally invasive techniques and complex aortic surgeries. Approximately 8-10 cardiac surgeries are performed daily, from which I selected the most complex cases and was able to observe two of them each day.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to TSF for the opportunity provided by the Sarns Terumo Perfusion Award Fellowship. Being the first South American perfusionist to receive this fellowship is truly an honor and opens the door for more perfusionists from my region to apply in the coming years. I would also like to reiterate my thanks to my mentor, Dr. Michael W.A. Chu, for his kindness and hospitality. Furthermore, the support and dedication of the perfusion department members at London Health Sciences Centre during my educational observership were incredible. They created a comfortable and friendly environment conducive to learning.