THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE CIRCULATION NURSE TO THE SAFETY OF EXTRACORPOREAL CIRCULATION IN PEDIATRIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

Abstract

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is fundamental in pediatric cardiac surgeries, requiring rigorous monitoring and a qualified team. This study aimed to understand the impact of the perfusionist nurse's role on the safety, hemodynamic stability, and clinical outcomes of pediatric patients undergoing CPB. This is an integrative literature review conducted in the PubMed/MEDLINE, SciELO, and Web of Science databases, from 2021 to 2026, using controlled descriptors and Boolean operators. Complete and peer-reviewed studies were included, excluding duplicates and grey literature. The selection followed PRISMA, resulting in 33 studies, analyzed through categorical thematic analysis. The results showed that the perfusionist nurse's role contributes to patient safety through monitoring and prevention of adverse events; thus, a positive impact was observed on hemodynamic stability, reduction of complications, and clinical outcomes. It is concluded that this professional plays a fundamental role in the quality of care, being essential for the safety and success of pediatric cardiac surgeries.