
Redefining the Role of Perfusionists in ECMO: From Technical Operators to Clinical Stakeholders
This letter to the editor argues that perfusionists in ECMO programs should move beyond a narrowly defined technical role and be formally integrated as clinical stakeholders. The authors highlight perfusionists’ expertise in circuit management, anticoagulation, device troubleshooting, and physiology, advocating for their inclusion in ICU rounds, decision-making, quality improvement, and research. Greater integration could improve safety, efficiency, and patient outcomes in complex ECMO care.