Cardiopulmonary Bypass Crisis Scenarios: Thinking Yourself Out of a Box

Author: Nahush Mokadam, MD; Craig Vocelka; Edward Verrier, MD
Institution: University of Washington
Date Reviewed: March 2025
Learning Domain: Adult Cardiac Surgery
Learning Objective: Management of Cardiopulmonary Bypass
PowerPoint File: Cardiopulmonary Bypass Crisis Scenarios: Thinking Yourself Out of a Box

Opportunities for Success

• Cannulation
• Commencement of Cardiopulmonary Bypass
• Crossclamp 
• Maintenance of Cardiopulmonary Bypass
• Weaning Cardiopulmonary Bypass
• Finishing Up

Learning Points

• Cardiopulmonary Bypass is has many potential opportunities for success
• Don’t Panic – Everyone is looking to you for leadership
• Developing a  systematic approach to common problems is valuable
• Developing a practiced team approach may align expectations to rare disaster