CVP Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CVP facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is the most common type of valve disorder that may require surgical intervention involving a cardiovascular perfusionist? → Aortic stenosis
2. Which ECMO configuration provides both cardiac and respiratory support simultaneously? → Veno-arterial (VA) ECMO
3. How does chronic hypoxia affect myocardial tissue? → It can result in myocardial ischemia and infarction
4. What is myocardial protection during cardiac surgery? → Techniques to prevent heart muscle damage during the period the heart is stopped
5. Which type of pump is most commonly used in modern ECMO circuits? → Centrifugal pump
6. What is the most common site for arterial cannulation in standard cardiopulmonary bypass? → Ascending aorta
7. Which venous cannulation technique uses a single cannula positioned in the right atrium with drainage holes extending into the inferior vena cava? → Single two-stage venous cannula
8. What is the role of the oxygenator in the bypass circuit? → To add oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the blood
9. What is the role of calcium chloride after bypass? → To improve cardiac contractility and correct hypocalcemia from citrated blood products
10. Antegrade cardioplegia is delivered via which route? → Aortic root or coronary ostia
11. What is the function of a purse-string suture at a cannulation site? → To create a hemostatic seal around the cannula insertion site that prevents bleeding
12. What is ultrafiltration during cardiopulmonary bypass? → A technique to remove excess fluid and concentrate blood components
13. What serious vascular complication is associated with femoral arterial VA-ECMO cannulation? → Limb ischemia distal to the arterial cannula
14. What is cell salvage (cell saver) during cardiac surgery? → A device that collects, washes, and concentrates shed red blood cells for reinfusion
15. The most common cause of platelet dysfunction during cardiopulmonary bypass is: → Contact activation of platelets by the CPB circuit surfaces
16. What is the primary function of a cardiopulmonary bypass machine? → To temporarily replace the function of the heart and lungs during surgery
17. What is epsilon-aminocaproic acid (Amicar) used for during cardiac surgery? → To inhibit fibrinolysis and reduce bleeding
18. What hemodynamic effect does IABP deflation immediately before systole produce? → Reduced aortic end-diastolic pressure, decreasing afterload
19. What is the primary function of the oxygenator membrane in an ECMO circuit? → To remove CO2 from and add O2 to blood across a hollow-fiber membrane
20. What is the primary advantage of Del Nido cardioplegia over traditional formulations? → It allows a single dose to provide 60–90 minutes of cardiac arrest
21. Tranexamic acid reduces surgical blood loss primarily by: → Competitively blocking lysine-binding sites on plasminogen
22. What should a perfusionist do if they identify a safety issue with the CPB equipment that could affect patient safety? → Immediately stop the procedure, address the issue, and notify the surgical team
23. What is the purpose of a left ventricular vent during CPB? → To prevent LV distension by draining bronchial and thebesian venous return
24. What infection control measures are essential for the bypass circuit? → Aseptic technique during circuit assembly, sterile components, and antibiotic prophylaxis
25. Which complication results from advancing a two-stage venous cannula too deeply into the IVC? → Inadequate SVC drainage with superior vena cava hypertension and facial edema
26. Desmopressin (DDAVP) is indicated in cardiac surgery primarily to treat bleeding associated with: → Acquired platelet dysfunction including uremic and aspirin-related defects
27. When a post-CPB TEG shows a widened angle (alpha angle) with reduced clot formation rate, the most appropriate intervention is: → Cryoprecipitate or fibrinogen concentrate
28. Which electrolyte is primarily responsible for inducing cardiac arrest in cardioplegia solution? → Potassium
29. What is the standard initial heparin dose administered before cardiopulmonary bypass? → 300 units/kg
30. What is the typical potassium concentration in a standard cardioplegia solution compared to normal plasma? → Markedly elevated (15–30 mEq/L)