MVHI Gets New Heart-Lung Machines

The St. Elizabeth Medical Center Perfusion Department staff welcomes the acquisition of two new heart-lung machines.  Perfusionists Patrick McQueen, Jonathan Kraeger and Carl Foriero will now manage their duties with the Medtronic Performer CPB system, an advanced extracorporeal circulatory support system.  These new units will replace the refurbished systems purchased over ten year ago to start the program.

A cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) system maintains the patient's heart and lung function while a surgeon revascularizes and/or repairs the damaged heart.  Perfusionists are responsible for maintaining blood flow to vital organs including myocardial preservation, while a patient is "on pump" during cardiac surgery.

The enhanced safety features, smaller size and adaptable technology will support today's surgical techniques as well as those in the future.  The Mohawk Valley Heart Institute (MVHI) patients can continue to expect and receive the best care afforded to heart surgery candidates nationwide.

Photo caption:  Jonathan Kraeger, CCP, sits at the helm of a new, state-of-the-art, heart-lung machine.