The Latin American Association of Perfusion

The Latin American Perfusion Association was established in 2016. At the time, perfusion meetings in Latin America were often held only once every 3 years. ALAP was formed in response to the needs of an expanded perfusion population seeking more frequent conference meetings in a wider range of diverse venues. As the only perfusion society serving the entire region of Latin America, ALAP supports almost 500 members with a mission to raise the quality of perfusionists in Latin America by standardizing training and practice. ALAP engages that mission through a series of learning opportunities including online courses, high-fidelity simulations, hands-on workshops, webinars, symposia and congresses as well as an adverse event registry, online library and their professional magazine, Embomba.

A primary goal of organizing ALAP was to provide a robust response to the training and certification needs of Latin American perfusionists in order to ensure their recognition as a fundamental component of the cardiovascular surgical team. Over time, ALAP has taken many necessary steps to align themselves with international standards, both in terms of education and technological advancement. Within the region, certification as Perfusionista Clinico Certificado (PCC) is maintained by the Latin American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion, organized within the Latin American Perfusion Association, and is available to graduates of the seven perfusion programs in Latin America that are accredited by the ALAP. Certification for ALAP perfusionists is comparable to that in the United States, requiring graduation from an ALAP-approved perfusion program adhering to U.S. CAAHEP standards, followed by passing grades on each of two exams encompassing knowledge of basic perfusion science and clinical application. Recertification requires verified attendance at ALAP-approved perfusion meetings as well as other eligible continuing education within a specified period.

ALAP’s journal, EN BOMBA (EN BOMBA translates to “On pump”) is an international digital journal dedicated to publishing scientific and opinion articles in the fields of extracorporeal circulation, cardiovascular surgery, and intensive care. It publishes articles twice a year, in Spanish and Portuguese, including editorials, original articles, review articles, clinical cases, opinion pieces, images, its "On the Shoulders of Giants" series, letters to the editor, and the "En Bomba" test. Full text is publicly available at revistaenbombaalap.org. More information is available at revistaenbombaalap.org/index.php/bomba/about.

President – Dr. Javier Segura Román

Indian Society of Extra Corporeal Technology

ISECT was established in 1983 and is the only professional society representing perfusionists in India. With a focus on advancing education, practice standards, and collaboration in perfusion, ISECT serves a growing membership across the country. ISECT hosts an annual international conference, ISECTCON, and certification is maintained through the Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion-India (BCP-I).

President - Mr. Rajendra Kisan kokanee

The Japanese Society of Extra- Corporeal Technology in Medicine

The Japanese Society of Extra-Corporeal Technology in Medicine was established in 1976. As the only perfusion society in Japan, it serves 3,400 members with a mission to “advance and disseminate research related to extracorporeal circulation technology, and thereby contribute to the improvement of academic literature and the advancement and development of medicine”. JaSECT hosts an annual international conference, publishes a quarterly scientific journal (Extracorporeal Circulation Technology), maintains a registry, and creates guidelines and safety recommendations. Within the country, certification as Extracorporeal Circulation Technology Specialist and Artificial Heart Management Technician is maintained by the Japanese Society for Artificial Organs

President - Mr. Keiichi Tojo
jasect@jasect.jp

The Korean Society of Extracorporeal Technology (KoSECT)

The Korean Society of Extracorporeal Technology (KoSECT) is the official professional organization representing extracorporeal perfusionists in the Republic of Korea. Founded in 1980, KoSECT has played a key role in advancing professional standards, education, and clinical practice in extracorporeal circulation across cardiac surgery and critical care.

KoSECT promotes academic exchange and continuing professional education through scientific meetings, certification programs, and the development of clinical guidelines. In 2021, the society launched a national certification examination to support competency-based professional development and quality assurance.

Today, KoSECT represents approximately 300 practicing perfusionists nationwide, including nearly 190 certified members, and remains committed to improving patient safety, clinical outcomes, and collaboration with regional and international partners.

President - Lee Ok-sook