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ECMO in Neonatal and Pediatric Populations Flashcards

6 cards from real ECMO practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 ECMO in Neonatal and Pediatric Populations flashcards as text

  1. Which blood gas parameter is primarily controlled by adjusting the sweep gas flow rate in pediatric VV-ECMO?

    Answer: PaCO2

    Increasing sweep gas flow enhances CO2 removal across the oxygenator membrane, directly lowering PaCO2 and raising pH.

  2. In VA-ECMO, 'differential hypoxia' (also called North-South syndrome) refers to:

    Answer: Upper body hypoxia from native cardiac output while lower body receives oxygenated ECMO return

    In VA-ECMO, the failing native heart may eject deoxygenated blood into the ascending aorta while ECMO return enters the descending aorta, causing the upper body to be hypoxic.

  3. The primary goal of ECMO support in pediatric myocarditis is:

    Answer: Bridging to myocardial recovery or cardiac transplantation

    Myocarditis can cause fulminant cardiac failure, and ECMO provides hemodynamic support while awaiting spontaneous recovery or listing for transplantation.

  4. The typical ECMO blood flow rate target in neonates to achieve adequate oxygen delivery is approximately:

    Answer: 100–150 mL/kg/min

    Neonatal ECMO flows of 100–150 mL/kg/min provide sufficient cardiac output equivalent to support systemic oxygen delivery in the normal range.

  5. To reduce intracranial pressure risk in neonates on ECMO, the recommended head and body positioning is:

    Answer: Head of bed elevated 30° with head in midline position

    30° head-of-bed elevation with midline neck positioning promotes cerebral venous drainage and reduces ICP without compromising ECMO cannula function.

  6. A neonate on femoral VA-ECMO develops progressive ipsilateral lower extremity ischemia. The most appropriate intervention is:

    Answer: Insert a distal perfusion catheter into the superficial femoral artery

    A distal perfusion catheter (DPC) inserted antegrade into the superficial femoral artery restores distal limb perfusion while maintaining ECMO support.