Perfusion Technology: Course Descriptions

PRF 301 Introduction to Perfusion Technology
The history of the profession as well as the present and future role of the perfusionist will be studied. Aseptic techniques and a survey of cardiopulmonary components will be examined. This course includes both a clinical and lab component where the student will be introduced to ancillary procedures and extracorporeal circuit set-up. FA [3]

PRF 302 Pathophysiology of Cardiopulmonary Bypass I
Cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology will be studied. Pathophysiology will include acquired and congenital heart diseases. Prerequisite: PRF 301, PRF 331, PHY 551 WI [5]

PRF 303 Pathophysiology of Cardiopulmonary Bypass II
Physiology and pathophysiology relating to the patient undergoing extracorporeal circuit support will be explored. Topics will include gas transfer, acid-base, hemostasis and inflammation. Prerequisites: PRF 302, PRF 311, PRF 333, PHY 552 SP [6]

PRF 311 Junior Seminar I
Theory and practice of laboratory analysis, in-line monitors, extracorporeal safety devices and hemodynamic monitoring will be presented. This course includes a lab and clinical component where the student will continue to improve their clinical skills. The clinical component will be reinforced in a discussion format during class time. Prerequisite: PRF 301, PRF 331, PHY 551 WI [3]

PRF 312 Junior Seminar II
Special procedures in extracorporeal technology will be explored. The clinical and lab component will consist of patient management during extracorporeal circulatory support and special circuit demonstrations. Prerequisites: PRF 301, PRF 311, PRF 333, PHY 552 SP [5]

PRF 313 Junior Seminar III
Special procedures in extracorporeal technology will be explored. Prerequisites: PRF 303, PRF 312 SU [3]

PRF 331 Anatomy
Cardiovascular, respiratory, neural, renal, and hepatic anatomy will be presented. FA [3]

PRF 333 Pharmacology
The student will learn the fundamental principles and concepts of pharmacology. Presents the principles of drug absorption, distribution, and metabolism; the concept of drug receptor inaction; and the therapeutic uses and mechanisms of action of prototype drugs in each major drug group, particularly as it applies to the open heart surgical patient before, during and after surgery. Prerequisite: PHY 551 WI [3]

PRF 381 Introduction to Research and Project Design
Research studies are analyzed and evaluated relative to an identified clinical problem. Includes concepts, methods and strategies inherent to the research process with a focus on design, internal and external validity, sampling, measurement and ethical issues. SP [3]

PRF 431, 432, 433, 434 Clinical Experience I, II, III, and IV
This series of courses represents the student's clinical experience. Students will rotate through various locations, several of which will be outside of the Chicago area. By the end of the series the student will be able to demonstrate all skills of a competent perfusionist. P/N grading only. SU, FA, WI, SP [10] [10] [10] [10]

PRF 441, 442, 443, 444 Project Design and Research I, II, III, and IV
In this series of courses the student will complete a research project suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed publication. SU, FA, WI, SP [2] [2] [2] [2]

PRF 451, 452, 453 Senior Seminar I, II, and III
In this series of courses advanced topics in extracorporeal technology will be discussed. Due to out-of-town clinical rotations, portions of this course material will be offered online. FA, WI, SP [1] [1] [1]

PRF 501 Introduction to Perfusion Technology
The history of the profession as well as the present and future role of the perfusionist will be studied. Aseptic techniques and a survey of cardiopulmonary components will be examined. This course includes both a clinical and lab components where the student will be introduced to ancillary procedures and extracorporeal circuit set-up. FA [3]

PRF 502 Pathophysiology of Cardiopulmonary Bypass I
Cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology will be studied. Pathophysiology will include acquired and congenital heart diseases. Prerequisites: PRF 501, PRF 521, PHY 551. WI [5]

PRF 503 Pathophysiology of Cardiopulmonary Bypass II
Physiology and pathophysiology relating to the patient undergoing extracorporeal circuit support will be explored. Topics will include gas transfer, acid-base, hemostasis and inflammatory processes as they relate to the conduct of cardiopulmonary bypass. Prerequisites: PRF 502, PRF 510, PRF 523, PHY 552. SP [5]

PRF 510 Seminar I
This seminar will focus on the principles of laboratory analysis with special emphasis on blood chemistry, coagulation/hematology and blood banking. Additionally focus will be placed on the hemodynamic monitoring of patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. WI [3]

PRF 511 Seminar II
Focus will be on the role of the perfusionist in special operative procedures. This will include issues relating to heart, lung, and liver transplantations, left heart bypass, and conduct of cardiopulmonary bypass. Prerequisites: PRF 510. SP [5]

PRF 512 Seminar III
This is a continuation of Seminar II. The focus will continue to be on special procedures. Topics will include extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, antegrade and retrograde cerebral perfusion, sickle cell disease, and perfusion of the pregnant patient. Prerequisites: PRF 510, PRF 511. SU [3]

PRF 513 Seminar IV
Topics include medical imaging and diagnostic technology, and pressure flow and resistance relationships. Prerequisites: PRF 510, PRF 511, PRF 512. FA [1]

PRF 521 Anatomy
Cardiovascular, respiratory, neural, renal and hepatic anatomy will be presented and discussed. FA [3]

PRF 523 Pharmacology
Students will learn the fundamental principles and concepts of pharmacology. Discussions will focus on the principles of drug absorption, distribution and metabolism; drug receptor activities, and the therapeutic uses and mechanism of action of drugs in each major drug group. Prerequisites: PHY 551. WI [3]

PRF 531 Clinical Experience I
PRF 532 Clinical Experience II
PRF 533 Clinical Experience III
PRF 534 Clinical Experience IV

This series of courses represents the student's clinical experience. Students will rotate through various locations several of which will be outside of the Chicago area. By the end of the series, the student will be able to demonstrate all skills of a competent perfusionist. P/N grading only. SU, FA, WI, SP [10] [10] [10] [10]

PRF 541, 542, 543, 544, 545 Project Design and Research and Master's Project
In this series of courses students will complete a master's project which will be submitted for publication in a peer reviewed publication. SP, SU, FA, WI, SP [3] [2] [2] [2]

PRF 551, 552, 553, 554 Advanced Topics
Advanced courses dealing with selected topics designed to further the student's knowledge in the fields of management, educational methods, and advanced cardiovascular physiology and pharmacology. The student is expected to develop and present research quality papers which the student will present to faculty and peers. SP, SU, WI, SP [v]