Perfúziós

Perfúziós, or perfusion, is the process of delivering a fluid through the circulatory system or through the microvasculature of a tissue. In medicine, it most commonly refers to the passage of blood or a blood-like perfusate to tissues, supplying oxygen and nutrients while removing waste.

Perfusion is driven by a pressure gradient and depends on intact microcirculation. Key parameters include flow rate, perfusion pressure, and tissue oxygen delivery; these indicators help assess whether tissues receive adequate blood supply.

Perfusion can be systemic, as in ordinary circulation, or regional, such as isolated limb perfusion or targeted organ perfusion during surgery. Ex vivo perfusion describes perfusing organs outside the body to preserve viability for transplantation.

Organ preservation has evolved from static cold storage to machine perfusion, which circulates hypothermic or normothermic perfusate. Normothermic machine perfusion maintains metabolic activity and enables functional assessment. Isolated limb perfusion uses high-dose drugs to a limb while preventing systemic exposure.

Applications span organ transplantation, targeted cancer therapy, and perfusion-based imaging in diagnostics. Equipment includes pumps, oxygenators, cannulas, temperature controls, and specialized perfusates; risks include microvascular injury and edema, while limitations relate to perfusate quality and access.