CES ECMO Equipment & Technology

Question 1

Which centrifugal pump design is most commonly used in modern ECMO systems?

Accepted Answer

Magnetically levitated impeller centrifugal pump

Answer

Magnetically levitated centrifugal pumps (e.g., Maquet Rotaflow, LivaNova CP5) dominate modern ECMO due to reduced hemolysis and bearing wear compared to older designs.

Question 2

What does the term 'sweep gas' refer to in an ECMO oxygenator?

Accepted Answer

The gas (oxygen/air blend) flowing through the oxygenator membrane to facilitate gas exchange

Answer

Sweep gas is the gas flow (typically an O2/CO2 blend) through the hollow-fiber membrane oxygenator that drives CO2 removal and sets membrane-side gas composition.

Question 3

In a hollow-fiber membrane oxygenator, which direction does CO2 most rapidly transfer?

Accepted Answer

From blood into the sweep gas (blood to gas)

Answer

CO2 moves from the blood (high partial pressure) across the hollow-fiber membrane into the sweep gas (low partial pressure) due to its high membrane diffusibility.

Question 4

The Avalon Elite bicaval dual-lumen cannula is designed for insertion via which access site?

Accepted Answer

Right internal jugular vein

Answer

The Avalon Elite is designed for right internal jugular vein insertion, with drainage from both the SVC and IVC and return directed toward the tricuspid valve.

Question 5

Which ECMO circuit component is responsible for maintaining circuit temperature?

Accepted Answer

A heat exchanger (water bath heater-cooler unit) incorporated into or alongside the oxygenator

Answer

A heater-cooler unit circulates temperature-controlled water through a heat exchanger adjacent to the oxygenator to regulate patient blood temperature.

CES - Certified ECMO Specialist Practice Test

CES - Certified ECMO Specialist Practice Test

CES ECMO Equipment & Technology