By Sitaram Mewati
The 26th Annual National Conference of the Indian Society of Extracorporeal Technology (ISECT), ISECTCON 2026, commenced on Friday at Hotel Aurika Mumbai Sky City, drawing leading cardiac care specialists, perfusionists and healthcare professionals from across India and abroad.
The two-day conference is themed “Next-Gen Perfusion: AI, Robotics, and Personalized Care,” focusing on the transformative role of technology in cardiac surgery and critical care. Experts are discussing how Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics and advanced monitoring systems are enhancing precision, safety and outcomes in complex heart procedures.
While heart surgeons are widely known, the conference spotlighted the critical yet often under-recognised role of perfusionists. These trained professionals operate the heart-lung machine during open-heart surgeries, ensuring continuous circulation of oxygen-rich blood when the heart is temporarily stopped. Perfusionists also manage life-support technologies such as Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), used for patients suffering from severe cardiac or respiratory failure.
Speaking at the inauguration, Organising Secretary Ravindra Sawardekar emphasised the need to raise awareness about the profession. “Many people know the heart surgeon who performs the operation, but very few know the perfusionist who keeps the patient alive during surgery,” he said. He added that AI is not a replacement for clinical expertise but a support system that improves accuracy, enhances patient safety and enables faster decision-making in critical situations.
Sawardekar also highlighted the shortage of trained perfusionists in India. With the number of heart surgeries and advanced life-support interventions increasing each year, the demand for skilled professionals in this field is rising rapidly. He stressed the importance of strengthening structured education, training programmes and government-level recognition for perfusion science.
Day 1 scientific sessions covered advancements in perfusion techniques, pediatric cardiac care and integration of robotics in surgical support systems. Senior professionals were honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards for their contributions.
As cardiac care evolves with rapid technological advancements, ISECTCON 2026 underscores a vital message: behind every successful heart surgery stands a dedicated perfusionist ensuring that life continues to flow.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
