Cardiovascular perfusion: evolution to allied health profession and status 1986.

The occupation of cardiovascular perfusion has evolved from a technical to a professional status during the past 25 years. The national thoracic surgical organizations, The American Association for Thoracic Surgery and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, have supported this process of development through participation on various boards and committees of the perfusionist organizations. The rapid growth of cardiac surgical services in the past decade produced concern about the availability of perfusionist manpower. This concern was exacerbated by creation of formal processes for the certification of perfusionists and the accreditation of perfusion educational programs. Today, these issues are largely resolved and cardiovascular perfusion is recognized as an allied health profession.