Joe Basha’s PerfWeb #100 — Day 2 — Mastering Ultrafiltration & Fluid Balance in Perfusion; Essential Techniques & Insights — Perfusion

Benefits of Ultrafiltration

Presenter: J. Basha, CCP

Ultrafiltration hit perfusion like a lifeline, giving us control over fluid overload when diuretics alone wouldn’t cut it. J. Basha, CCP, leads this session to show why it’s a cornerstone of my practice after 40 years. Basha will break down how ultrafiltration strips out excess water and solutes via semi-permeable membranes, while keeping proteins and cells intact. It’s not just fluid removal—it’s precision, reducing edema and even inflammatory markers. I’ll recall a heart failure case where ultrafiltration got us off bypass when the odds were grim. You’ll learn the types (conventional, modified, zero-balance), how to weave it into your circuit, and how to dodge pitfalls like hypotension. Perfusionists will find this essential; OR teams will see its teamwork value. Join us to harness ultrafiltration’s power for better outcomes.

Assessment of Patient Fluid Balance and Status

Presenters: S. Patel, MD, J. Basha, CCP

Fluid balance is perfusion’s quiet MVP—nail it, and the case flows; botch it, and you’re in chaos. Dr. S. Patel and J. Basha team up to decode this critical skill over a two-hour deep dive. They’ll cover the tools—CVP, PA pressures, TEE, bioimpedance—and how to read them amid bypass’s wild fluid shifts. I’ll share my go-to signs, like venous oxygen saturation shifts, that scream trouble early. Expect actionable strategies: pre-op prep, intra-op tweaks, and post-op stability, with tips like using albumin for oncotic pressure. This is for perfusionists, anesthesiologists, and surgeons—it’s a team effort.