St Vincents 2024 ECMO Quiz Flashcards
What line does the flow/bubble detector go on?
a). The access line
b). The return line
c). The backflow
d). The venous line
B
In peripheral VA ECMO into what vessel is the return line inserted?
a). Aorta
b). Femoral artery
c). Carotid artery
d). Femoral vein
A
The Bioline coating on the cardio help HLS circuit contains what?(more than 1 correct
answer)
a). Protamine
b). Potassium
c). Heparin
d). Albumin
C and D
True or False
The main difference between VV and VA ECMO is that VV provides no direct cardiac support
True
CO2 removal in the membrane oxygenator is primarily dependent on:
a). RPMs
b). Sweep gas flow rate
c). ECMO flow
d). ECMO FiO2
B
Where on the ECMO circuit is the haemofilter attached?
a). Return to post oxygenator 3 way tap, Access to oxygenator 3-way tap
b). Return to post oxygenator 3-way tap, Access to pre oxygenator 3-way tap
c). Return to pre oxygenator 3-way tap, Access to post oxygenator 3-way tap
C
On peripheral ECMO, into what vessel is the venous access line inserted?
a). Brachial vein
b). Left internal jugular vein
c). Femoral vein
C
True or False
VV ECMO improves the patient’s oxygenation and removes CO2 from the patient’s
blood. This allows the level of ventilator support to be reduced which in turn reduces
ventilator induced lung injury.
True
Complications related to ECMO cannulation include:
1). Infection
2). Vascular injury (dissection, intimal tear)
3). Obstruction (kinking, positional)
4). Bleeding
5). Leg ischaemia
a). 1 & 3
b). 3
c). 2, 4 & 5
d) All of the above
D
True or False
Patients with central cannulation cannot be turned.
False
True or False
During VV ECMO a clear indication of severe recirculation is well saturated bright red blood
in the return and access limbs.
True
What is the best indicator of adequacy of oxygenation on VA ECMO?
a). Arterial SaO2
b). SVO2
c). Arterial Oxygen Saturation
d). ABG pO2
B
What are the indications for doing a post oxygenator gas? (more than 1 correct answer)
a). Falling Delta p
b). Reducing patient saturations
c). Rising Delta p
d). Rising CO2 despite high fresh gas flow rates
e). Visible clots and fibrin deposition on oxygenator
B, C, D and E
Your patient’s ABG shows a low pCO2. What is the appropriate action to take?
a). Decrease ECMO flow rate
b). increase the fresh gas flow rate
c). Increase ECMO flow rate
d). Reduce the fresh gas flow rate
D
Oxygen Delivery to the VA ECMO patient can be increased by: (more than 1 correct answer)
a). Reduce minute ventilation
b). increasing the ECMO flow rate
c). Increasing the patient’s Hgb
d). Reducing FiO2
B and C
In the post operative cardiac VA ECMO patient which of the following could be the cause of
inadequate venous return? (More than 1 answer)
a). Hypervolaemia
b). Bleeding
c). Cardiac Tamponade
d). Hypovolaemia
B, C and D
Decreased venous return during ECMO can be caused by (more than 1 correct answer):
a). Tamponade
b). Bleeding
c). Sedation bolus
d). Reduced volume status
e). Pneumothorax
f). High intra-abdominal pressure
g). High ECMO flow rate
h). Return cannula too low
i). Access cannula too low
j). Patient straining
ABCDFGIJ
What is the greatest risk to the patient when the patient is cannulated femorally for VA
ECMO?
a). Pain
b). Limb ischaemia
c). Bleeding
d). Hematoma
B
The Oxygen Delivery formula is CO x (Hb x 1.34 x SO2) + (PaO2 x 0.003). How can the
oxygen delivery be increased in a patient on ECMO? (More than 1 correct answer):
a). Increase Hgb
b). Increase fresh gas flow rate
c). Increase ECMO flow
d).Reduce the patient’s heart rate
e). Increase afterload
f). Ensure adequate preload
A, C and F
What is the gold standard anticoagulant used with ECMO?
a).Argatroban
b). Warfarin
c). Heparin
d). Clexane
C
What is the gold standard anticoagulant used with ECMO?
a).Argatroban
b). Warfarin
c). Heparin
d). Clexane
C
What is the most common complication associated with ECMO?
a). Infection
b). Systemic thromboembolism
c). Bleeding
d). Death
C
What are the required daily investigations for a patient on ECMO?
a). Daily Chest X-Ray, Daily LDH/D-Dimer, BD FBC,UEC, CMP, LFT, COAGS,Anti-Xa
b). Daily Chest X-ray, BD LDH/D-Dimer, 6/24 FBC,UEC, CMP, LFT, COAGS,Anti-Xa
c). Second daily Chest X-ray, Daily LDH/-Dimer, FBC,UEC, CMP, LFT, COAGS,Anti-Xa
d). Second daily Chest X-Ray, BD LDH/-Dimer, FBC,UEC, CMP, LFT, COAGS,Anti-Xa
B
What are some pathologies that can cause acute cardiac failure that may be potentially
suitable for ECMO?
a). PE
b). Fulminant myocarditis
c). Aortic dissection
d). AMI with cardiogenic shock and MSOF
e). Drug overdose with severe cardiac depression
A,B D and E
True or False
There are no absolute contraindications to ECMO.
False
Who can benefit from ECMO?(more than 1 correct answer):
a). Those with a reversible disease
b). Patients <65 years
c). Patients with advanced COAD
d). Patients with isolated respiratory or cardiac failure
e). Patients >75 years
f). Patients with established multi-organ failure
A, B and D
What are some of the pathologies potentially suitable for VV ECMO?
a) ARDS
b) pneumocystis pneumonia in a 55 year old who has HIV with AIDS
c) status asthmaticus
d) exacerbation of COAD
e) Aspiration pneumonitis after overdose
A, C and E
When is VV ECMO indicated?
a). Cardiac failure
b). Cardiac and respiratory failure
c). Isolated respiratory failure
d). Post cardiac surgery
C