Introduction to antithrombin (AT) the natural anticoagulant in the blood. What a perfusionist needs to know about AT.

Instructors: David Fitzgerald and Jeff Riley

After completing the activities in this course, you will be able to:

1. Describe antithrombin (AT), its source, its normal concentration and activity in the blood,

2. Describe how cardiac surgery, drug therapy, extracorporeal circulation and cardiopulmonary bypass affect patient antithrombin levels,

3. Report how antithrombin is measured and supplemented during cardiac surgery, extracorporeal life support (ECLS) and membrane oxygenation (ECMO) procedures, and

4. Cite the more important publications regarding AT's role and use in cardiac surgery and extracorporeal circulation.

Expected time to complete this class: 50 minutes

As AmSECT University relaunches its professional continuing education website, we are required by the ABCP to resubmit our application for Category I Self Directed Continuing Education (SDCE) for Category I CEU’s. AmSECT University has begun this process. At the completion of your course, your certificate will say “pending one (1) ABCP Category I CEU”. You will be notified to reprint your certificates once approval has been granted.

Per the ABCP, a maximum of ten (10) SDCE I CEU’s may be used for professional activity recertification within a three-year reporting cycle. Members may submit additional Category III CEU’s.