Extracorporeal Life Support

Question 1

What is ECMO?

Answer 1

ECMO stands for Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and is also known as extracorporeal life support.

It is a technique for providing prolonged cardiac and respiratory support to patients whose heart and lungs are unable (because they’re too sick) to provide an adequate amount of gas exchange or perfusion to sustain life.

Question 2

What are the 3 types of ECMO?

Answer 2

Venovenous, venoarterial, and Arteriovenous.

Question 3

In hypoxic respiratory failure due to any cause, ECLS should be considered when?

Answer 3

It should be considered when the risk of mortality is greater than 50%, and is indicated when the risk of mortality is greater than 80%.

Question 4

A 50% mortality rate is associated with a P/F of what?

Answer 4

With a P/F of greater than 150 on an FIO2 of greater than 90%.

Question 5

An 80% mortality risk is associated with a P/F of what?

Answer 5

Less than 100 on an FIO2 of greater than 90%.

Question 6

ECMO is recommended for MLIS greater than what?

Answer 6

3

Question 7

Gas flow in an ECMO circuit is referred to as what?

Answer 7

Sweep Flow

Question 8

The higher the sweep flow, the more?

Answer 8

The more CO2 is eliminated.

Question 9

Which form of ECMO involves a complete lung bypass?

Answer 9

Veno-Arterial ECMO

Question 10

In order for venovenous ECMO to support oxygenation and CO2 removal, we must have adequate what?

Answer 10

Cardiac function.

Question 11

Patients with an acute lung injury and preserved cardiac function would be considered for which type of ECMO?

Answer 11

Venovenous ECMO