VCSQI Monthly Quality Meeting Recap: Part 2 – A Deep Dive into Cardiopulmonary Bypass with Meetali Mahendrakar

The VCSQI community came together once again for our monthly Quality Commitee Meeting, and we were thrilled to have Meetali Mahendrakar, Clinical Quality Abstractor, Mass General Brigham return as our guest speaker. This session, the second part of a two-part series, was an insightful and engaging discussion on cardiopulmonary bypass, left heart bypass, and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Meetali’s ability to break down these complex topics in an approachable way made this session especially valuable.

Key Highlights from the Meeting

1. Opening Remarks and Announcements

The meeting kicked off with a warm welcome to everyone in attendance. Judy, VCSQI Quality Committee Chair, shared updates on upcoming training sessions, including the STS webinars and the October AQO conference in San Antonio. She emphasized the importance of ongoing education and encouraged everyone to take advantage of regional groups for networking, mentorship, and professional growth.

2. Meetali’s In-Depth Presentation

Meetali captivated the audience with her expertise, making intricate medical concepts easier to grasp. She covered:

• Cardiopulmonary Bypass Basics: A refresher on venous and arterial cannulation, oxygenation, and the role of the pump.

• Left Heart Bypass vs. Full Cardiopulmonary Bypass: The key differences, surgical techniques, and implications for coding.

• Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest: How it works, why it’s necessary, and what medical teams must consider.

• Surgical Challenges and Best Practices: Understanding clamp placement, ischemic time, and perfusion monitoring.

Attendees were fully engaged as Meetali walked through real-world examples and provided practical insights into how these procedures are applied in different surgical scenarios. Her clear explanations and relatable teaching style made the session both informative and enjoyable.

3. Engaging Discussion and Q&A

The session wrapped up with an interactive Q&A segment where participants had the chance to ask Meetali about coding practices, procedural intricacies, and best practices in perfusion techniques. Her thoughtful answers helped bring clarity to many challenging topics, leaving attendees feeling more confident in their understanding.

A Heartfelt Thank You to Meetali

We want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Meetali for sharing her time, knowledge, and expertise with us. Her passion for educating and supporting our community was evident, and we are grateful for her contributions. As one attendee put it, "Meetali, you need to take this show on the road—you’re amazing!"

For those who couldn’t make it or want to review the session again, the recording is accessible below:

Missed Part 1? Watch it here.

Thank you to all who joined us, and we look forward to seeing you at our next meeting!