FREE ECMO Physiology and Pathophysiology Questions and Answers

Question 1

What is ECMO?

Accepted Answer

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)

Answer

Explanation:
ECMO is an acronym that stands for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation. It is a pump that circulates blood through an artificial lung to provide oxygenation. This can support the lungs or the lungs and heart. This technique started in the 1950s to bypass damaged and diseased lungs in infants.

Question 2

What are the indications for use of ECMO?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

Explanation:
There are many uses of ECMO, and trials are ongoing as we discover more ways to use ECMO. Here are some of the known uses:
Refractory Ventricular Fibrillation cardiac arrest (VFIB arrest)
Pulmonary embolism with shock
Massive overdose
Amniotic fluid embolism following pregnancy
Hypothermia and Hypothermic cardiac arrest
Drowning
ARDS

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

Explanation:
The first 16 minutes of a cardiac arrest is very important. Research shows that the majority of patients with good neurologic outcomes after a cardiac arrest obtain ROSC within 16 minutes. ECMO and ECPR (refractory arrest, “ECMO Alert”) are for those who don’t obtain ROSC in the first 16 minutes. This is why the goal is to keep scene time less than 18 minutes. Therefore, if no ROSC after 2 shocks, transport immediately.

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

Explanation:
Generally, we think of V-fib and V-tach as potential cardiac causes of cardiac arrest. For ECPR (refractory arrest, “ECMO Alert”) to be effective, there needs to be something to fix in the cath lab such as a blocked coronary artery. Asystole, along with other causes of arrest, are less likely to be cardiogenic. Other types of arrests that are excluded are traumatic arrests and police arrests.

Question 5

What is the primary function of ECMO in respiratory failure?

Accepted Answer

To provide oxygenation and remove carbon dioxide

Answer

Explanation:
The primary function of ECMO in respiratory failure is to act as an artificial lung, providing oxygen to the blood and removing carbon dioxide.

ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) Practice Test

ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) Practice Test

FREE ECMO Physiology and Pathophysiology Questions and Answers