Predictive factors for determining first-attempt success on the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion Certification Exams for graduates of a master’s level perfusion education program

TL;DR

This study identifies academic performance in specific courses and student background as predictors of success on a perfusion certification exam.

Contribution

The study empirically identifies key academic and demographic predictors of first-time success on the ABCP exam.

Findings

Higher performance in Introduction to Cardiac Perfusion and Hematology significantly predicted first-time ABCP exam success.

Admission as an undergraduate student was a significant predictor of first-time exam success.

Clinical experience hours and cohort year did not significantly impact exam success.

Abstract

Background: As demand for perfusionists grows due to increased cardiac procedures and retirements, improving first-time pass rates is essential to addressing workforce shortages. This quantitative study analyzed academic, demographic, and clinical variables as predictors of success on the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP) exam. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from 103 students enrolled in the master’s-level Carlow University–University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Cardiovascular Perfusion program between 2017 and 2022 (IRB #02232024-1). Student-level variables included undergraduate GPA, grades in prerequisite courses, clinical experience hours, and admission status (graduate vs. undergraduate). Associations between these variables and first-time ABCP exam success were examined. Results: Logistic regression analysis revealed that higher performance in Introduction to Cardiac Perfusion (B = 1.002, p = .008) and Hematology (B = .636, p = .028) significantly predicted first-time success on the ABCP exam. Admission as an undergraduate student was also a significant predictor (p = .004). However, neither the number of clinical experience hours nor the student’s cohort year showed statistical significance (p > .05). Conclusion: Academic performance in key foundational courses and student background (such as admission status) were significantly associated with first-time ABCP exam success. In contrast, the amount of clinical experience did not demonstrate a meaningful impact on pass rates. Further research should utilize a richer dataset that captures a more comprehensive view of perfusion program curricula, including detailed clinical training components. This would help clarify how specific educational experiences contribute to ABCP exam success and overall program outcomes.