ECMO EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
What are the 3 types of transport for a patient on ECMO? - Correct Answers -Transport
is a complicated procedure when patients are on ECMO. Challenges are associated
with: 1) intra-hospital transport, 2) inter-hospital transport, and 3) flight transport
Definition of shear rate - Correct Answers -The velocity at which the liquid moves in
proportion to the separation of the plates. Also known as velocity gradient.
Definition of shear stress - Correct Answers -A force applied to an area of liquid
confined between 2 plates, sufficient to set a liquid in motion
What is the shear stress equation? - Correct Answers -shear stress = velocity x shear
rate
Shear stress is proportional to the shear rate, and the coefficient of proportionality is the
fluid viscosity.
Definition of pressure drop - Correct Answers -The resistance to blood flow produced by
any membrane oxygenator. Each manufacturer provides pressure drop specifications
for their membranes. If it is exceeded, the membrane material may rupture during the
procedure.
Definition of long term support - Correct Answers -FDA defines it as the device being in
use >6 hours
Definition of hemolysis - Correct Answers -The destruction of red blood cells, caused by
the disruption of the cell membrane and resulting in the release of hemoglobin
Definition of ECC (Extracorporeal Circulation) - Correct Answers -A procedure in which
blood is taken from a patient's circulation to have a process applied to it before it is
returned to circulation. All of the apparatus carrying the blood outside of the body is
termed the extracorporeal circuit. Techniques include: Aphaeresis, auto transfusion,
hemodialysis, hemofiltration, plasmapheresis, ECMO, and CPB
What is an anticoagulant? - Correct Answers -A substance that prevents blood from
clotting by suppressing the synthesis or function of various clotting factors.
Anticoagulants are given to prevent thrombus and are used in drawing, storing, and
pumping blood. There are 2 main types of anticoagulants: Heparin and vitamin K
antagonists (i.e. Warfarin). Heparin is always the drug of choice for the ECMO circuit
, What is CESAR? - Correct Answers -Conventional ventricular support vs.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for severe adult respiratory failure
When was the CESAR study published? - Correct Answers -2009
Define VV ECMO (Veno-veno) - Correct Answers -Deoxygenated blood is drained from
one or more major veins and oxygenated blood is returned to the right atrium. This
supports respiratory function only, and requires the native heart to be able to function to
deliver oxygenated blood to the tissues
Define AV ECMO (veno-arterial) - Correct Answers -Deoxygenated blood is drained
from one or more major veins and oxygenated blood is pumped back into a major
artery, thus providing tissue perfusion in the absence of native heart function
What is ELSO? - Correct Answers -Extracorpoeal Life Support Organization
When and where was ELSO founded? - Correct Answers -1989 in Ann Arbor, Michigan
What does ARDS stand for? - Correct Answers -acute respiratory distress syndrome
What is ECCO2R? - Correct Answers -Extracorporeal Carbon Dioxide Removal:
selective carbon dioxide removal
What is ECLS? - Correct Answers -The more modern term for ECMO. Extracorporeal
Life Support that encompasses all extracorporeal technologies and life support
components including oxygenation, carbon dioxide removal, and hemodynamic support.
Renal an liver support may also be included.
What is ECMO? - Correct Answers -Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation. This is the
older, more traditional term for extracorporeal life support that omits reference to
inherent additional life supports such as hemodynamic support and carbon dioxide
removal.
Who is considered the father of ECMO? - Correct Answers -Dr. Robert Bartlett
What does RCT stand for? - Correct Answers -randomized controlled trial
What type of ECMO should be used for acute myocardial failure? - Correct Answers -V-
A ECMO
A patient presents to the ED with ARDS. What type of ECMO should he be placed on? -
Correct Answers -V-V ECMO
Metabolism is measured by measuring the amount of oxygen consumed per minute,
which is called what? - Correct Answers -VO2
ANSWERS
What are the 3 types of transport for a patient on ECMO? - Correct Answers -Transport
is a complicated procedure when patients are on ECMO. Challenges are associated
with: 1) intra-hospital transport, 2) inter-hospital transport, and 3) flight transport
Definition of shear rate - Correct Answers -The velocity at which the liquid moves in
proportion to the separation of the plates. Also known as velocity gradient.
Definition of shear stress - Correct Answers -A force applied to an area of liquid
confined between 2 plates, sufficient to set a liquid in motion
What is the shear stress equation? - Correct Answers -shear stress = velocity x shear
rate
Shear stress is proportional to the shear rate, and the coefficient of proportionality is the
fluid viscosity.
Definition of pressure drop - Correct Answers -The resistance to blood flow produced by
any membrane oxygenator. Each manufacturer provides pressure drop specifications
for their membranes. If it is exceeded, the membrane material may rupture during the
procedure.
Definition of long term support - Correct Answers -FDA defines it as the device being in
use >6 hours
Definition of hemolysis - Correct Answers -The destruction of red blood cells, caused by
the disruption of the cell membrane and resulting in the release of hemoglobin
Definition of ECC (Extracorporeal Circulation) - Correct Answers -A procedure in which
blood is taken from a patient's circulation to have a process applied to it before it is
returned to circulation. All of the apparatus carrying the blood outside of the body is
termed the extracorporeal circuit. Techniques include: Aphaeresis, auto transfusion,
hemodialysis, hemofiltration, plasmapheresis, ECMO, and CPB
What is an anticoagulant? - Correct Answers -A substance that prevents blood from
clotting by suppressing the synthesis or function of various clotting factors.
Anticoagulants are given to prevent thrombus and are used in drawing, storing, and
pumping blood. There are 2 main types of anticoagulants: Heparin and vitamin K
antagonists (i.e. Warfarin). Heparin is always the drug of choice for the ECMO circuit
, What is CESAR? - Correct Answers -Conventional ventricular support vs.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for severe adult respiratory failure
When was the CESAR study published? - Correct Answers -2009
Define VV ECMO (Veno-veno) - Correct Answers -Deoxygenated blood is drained from
one or more major veins and oxygenated blood is returned to the right atrium. This
supports respiratory function only, and requires the native heart to be able to function to
deliver oxygenated blood to the tissues
Define AV ECMO (veno-arterial) - Correct Answers -Deoxygenated blood is drained
from one or more major veins and oxygenated blood is pumped back into a major
artery, thus providing tissue perfusion in the absence of native heart function
What is ELSO? - Correct Answers -Extracorpoeal Life Support Organization
When and where was ELSO founded? - Correct Answers -1989 in Ann Arbor, Michigan
What does ARDS stand for? - Correct Answers -acute respiratory distress syndrome
What is ECCO2R? - Correct Answers -Extracorporeal Carbon Dioxide Removal:
selective carbon dioxide removal
What is ECLS? - Correct Answers -The more modern term for ECMO. Extracorporeal
Life Support that encompasses all extracorporeal technologies and life support
components including oxygenation, carbon dioxide removal, and hemodynamic support.
Renal an liver support may also be included.
What is ECMO? - Correct Answers -Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation. This is the
older, more traditional term for extracorporeal life support that omits reference to
inherent additional life supports such as hemodynamic support and carbon dioxide
removal.
Who is considered the father of ECMO? - Correct Answers -Dr. Robert Bartlett
What does RCT stand for? - Correct Answers -randomized controlled trial
What type of ECMO should be used for acute myocardial failure? - Correct Answers -V-
A ECMO
A patient presents to the ED with ARDS. What type of ECMO should he be placed on? -
Correct Answers -V-V ECMO
Metabolism is measured by measuring the amount of oxygen consumed per minute,
which is called what? - Correct Answers -VO2
