FREE ECMO Physiology and Pathophysiology Questions and Answers

Question 1

What is ECMO?

Accepted Answer

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)

Answer

A device used for cardiac catheterization

Answer

A type of heart transplant surgery

Answer

A procedure for repairing damaged lungs

Question 2

What are the indications for use of ECMO?

Accepted Answer

Ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

Answer

Renal failure and septic shock

Answer

Coronary artery disease and hypertension

Answer

Diabetes mellitus and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Question 3

Why are the first 16 minutes of a cardiac arrest so important?

Accepted Answer

Most patients with good neurological outcomes achieve ROSC within the first 16 minutes.

Answer

The first 16 minutes are crucial for establishing a diagnosis.

Answer

The first 16 minutes are when bystander CPR is most effective.

Answer

The first 16 minutes are critical for initiating ECMO support.

Question 4

We can potentially use ECPR (refractory arrest) for cardiac arrests in V-fib and V-tach, why can’t we use it for asystole?

Accepted Answer

Asystole often indicates non-cardiogenic causes of arrest.

Answer

Asystole is a less common cause of cardiac arrest.

Answer

Asystole is not amenable to treatment with ECMO.

Answer

ECPR is only effective for shockable rhythms like V-fib and V-tach.

Question 5

What is the primary function of ECMO in respiratory failure?

Accepted Answer

To provide oxygenation and remove carbon dioxide

Answer

To increase heart rate

Answer

To regulate blood pressure

Answer

To stimulate lung function

Question 6

In ECMO, what does the oxygenator do?

Accepted Answer

Oxygenates the blood and removes carbon dioxide

Answer

Removes excess oxygen from the blood

Answer

Adds carbon dioxide to the blood

Answer

Filters the blood to remove toxins

Question 7

Which condition is ECMO primarily used for in respiratory failure?

Accepted Answer

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

Answer

Asthma exacerbation

Answer

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Answer

Pneumonia

Question 8

How does ECMO impact cardiac output?

Accepted Answer

Decreases it

Answer

Increases it

Answer

Has no effect

Answer

Normalizes it

Question 9

What is the primary concern regarding bleeding in patients on ECMO?

Accepted Answer

Blood clot formation

Answer

Increased blood viscosity

Answer

Decreased platelet count

Answer

Blood thinning

Question 10

What is the primary mechanism of gas exchange in veno-venous ECMO?

Accepted Answer

Diffusion across the membrane

Answer

Active transport

Answer

Filtration through pores

Answer

Osmosis