How to Use Perfusion Mind

A five-step workflow

Ask with clinical context and a clear goal

Use the tips below to get strong, clinically useful answers every time.

Jump to a step

Make Your Question Clinically Clear

Give a quick patient snapshot: Age, sex, height, weight (or BSA), key comorbidities (e.g., COPD, CKD, severe AS).
State the procedure and context: "On CPB for redo AVR/CABG," "V-A ECMO at bedside," "Weaning from bypass after MVR," etc.
Describe your circuit and strategy: Pump type (roller vs centrifugal), cannulation sites, prime volume, temperature strategy, venting, special devices (IABP, Impella).
Include the numbers that matter: ACT, Hct/Hb, flows, pressures, gases, lactate, urine output, recent ABG, anticoagulation doses, etc.
Say what decision you're trying to make: "Help me plan flows," "Help me troubleshoot low SvO₂," "Help me plan an oxygenator changeout," etc.

Tell Perfusion Mind Exactly What You Want Back

Be explicit about the deliverable: "Give me a step-by-step checklist," "Create a troubleshooting guide," "Summarize pros/cons of two strategies," "Show me the calculation with formulas."
Specify format and level of detail: "Keep it to 5 bullet points," or "Give a detailed, stepwise explanation with calculations."
Aim it at your role: "Explain this as if you are a senior CCP teaching a new grad on pump."

Control Assumptions and Boundaries

Mention institutional preferences: "Our surgeons prefer higher flows and lower MAPs," "We avoid Hct < 22%," "We do not use DHCA for this case."
Clarify what you will and won't do: "Don't recommend drugs or doses—focus on perfusion strategy, flows, and circuit management."
Call out constraints: Limited blood products, difficult access, small femoral vessels, limited time on cross-clamp, etc.

Ask for Reasoning, Not Just Answers

Request step-by-step thinking: "Walk me through your reasoning step by step," "Explain why you chose that flow and pressure target."
Ask for alternatives and tradeoffs: "Give me two possible strategies and when you'd choose each," "What are the risks of each option?"

Iterate Like You're in the Pump Room

Refine the question when needed: "That's close, but focus more on venous drainage issues," "Ignore anesthesia concerns and stick to circuit mechanics."
Build on previous answers: "Using the checklist you just gave, now add a troubleshooting section for low flows and low SvO₂."
Keep a critical mindset: Always confirm AI suggestions against your training, protocols, and the surgeon's plan.

Following these steps will help you get targeted, practical, clinically relevant answers—not generic AI output.

Weak versus optimized

Prompt Examples

Example 1 – Oxygenator Changeout

Weak Prompt

How do I change out an oxygenator?

Optimized Prompt

I'm on CPB for a CABG case, and I suspect my oxygenator is failing (rising trans-membrane pressure and worsening gases). I need a detailed, step-by-step plan for an oxygenator changeout. Adult patient, 82 kg, BSA 1.95 m² Centrifugal arterial pump head Heart is arrested, patient is warm (36 °C) Venous return is via dual-stage RA cannula Please give a numbered checklist that emphasizes safety, communication with the team, minimizing air risk, and keeping systemic perfusion adequate during the change.

Example 2 – Pregnant Patient on Bypass

Weak Prompt

What considerations should I have for a bypass case that involves a pregnant patient?

Optimized Prompt

I'm planning CPB for a pregnant patient undergoing MVR. 32-year-old female, 26 weeks pregnant BSA 1.7 m², no major comorbidities Standard adult circuit with antegrade cardioplegia I need a concise list (bullet points) of perfusion considerations specific to pregnancy: flow and pressure targets, hematocrit goals, temperature management, vasopressor use, and anticoagulation considerations. Focus only on perfusion strategy and fetal perfusion concerns—not surgical or obstetric details.