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Foundations of ECMO and ECMO Management Flashcards

7 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 7 Foundations of ECMO and ECMO Management flashcards as text

  1. Which parameter best reflects the adequacy of oxygen delivery during VV-ECMO?

    Answer: Mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2)

    SvO2 reflects the balance between oxygen delivery and consumption, making it the best indicator of systemic oxygen adequacy in VV-ECMO.

  2. Recirculation during VV-ECMO is best defined as:

    Answer: Oxygenated blood from the return cannula re-entering the drainage cannula

    Recirculation occurs when oxygenated blood exiting the return cannula is immediately aspirated back into the drainage cannula before reaching the systemic circulation.

  3. The primary determinant of CO2 removal in the ECMO circuit is:

    Answer: Sweep gas flow rate

    Sweep gas flow (measured in L/min) is the primary control for CO2 removal; increasing sweep gas flow directly increases CO2 elimination.

  4. In VA-ECMO, retrograde aortic flow from a femoral arterial return cannula most significantly affects:

    Answer: Left ventricular afterload

    Retrograde femoral arterial return increases left ventricular afterload (increased impedance to ejection), which can worsen LV distension in a failing heart.

  5. Which cannula configuration is used in veno-arterial-venous (VAV) ECMO?

    Answer: One venous drainage, one arterial return, and one additional venous return cannula

    VAV-ECMO uses one venous drainage cannula with both an arterial and a venous return cannula, providing both cardiac and respiratory support while improving upper body oxygenation.

  6. The 'north-south syndrome' (Harlequin syndrome) in VA-ECMO occurs due to:

    Answer: Recovery of native cardiac function delivering deoxygenated blood to the upper body while ECMO oxygenates the lower body

    Harlequin syndrome occurs when recovering cardiac function ejects deoxygenated blood from the lungs to the upper body, while ECMO oxygenated blood perfuses only the lower body.

  7. During ECMO priming, the circuit is typically filled with which solution to remove air before patient connection?

    Answer: Heparinized normal saline or balanced crystalloid

    Heparinized normal saline or balanced crystalloid (e.g., Plasma-Lyte) is the standard prime solution used to displace air and prepare the circuit before connection to the patient.