CVP ECMO and Mechanical Circulatory Support Flashcards

What does the abbreviation ECMO stand for?

Answer: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

ECMO stands for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, a life-support technique that oxygenates and removes CO2 from blood outside the body.

Which ECMO configuration provides both cardiac and respiratory support simultaneously?

Answer: Veno-arterial (VA) ECMO

VA-ECMO returns oxygenated blood to the arterial circulation, bypassing both the heart and lungs to provide combined cardiopulmonary support.

Veno-venous ECMO is primarily indicated for which clinical condition?

Answer: Severe isolated respiratory failure

VV-ECMO provides respiratory support only, returning oxygenated blood to the venous system for the patient's own heart to pump, making it suitable for respiratory failure with preserved cardiac function.

Which type of pump is most commonly used in modern ECMO circuits?

Answer: Centrifugal pump

Centrifugal pumps are preferred in ECMO because they are less traumatic to blood cells, have no tubing wear, and are safer if flow is occluded.

What is the typical ACT target range for anticoagulation during ECMO support?

Answer: 180–220 seconds

An ACT of 180–220 seconds (or anti-Xa guided heparin with aPTT 60–80 seconds) balances circuit thrombosis risk against bleeding complications during ECMO.

In peripheral femoral VA-ECMO, venous drainage is typically obtained from which vessel?

Answer: Femoral vein or internal jugular vein

The venous drainage cannula is placed in the femoral vein (or internal jugular vein), advanced to the right atrium to drain deoxygenated blood to the ECMO circuit.