ECMO Specialist Exam Ques ons and answers New!!
2025/2026 100% verified correct
How to recognize cardiogenic shock? (acronym) - Ans CS-MODE
Cardiac Rhythm
SBP <90
Markers- cardiac
Output- oliguria
Drips - Inotropes/ pressers
Exam - cool, clammy, resp distress
How to diagnose shock ( acronym) - Ans (ECLS )
ECG
Consult- surgeon
Labs- lactates, abgs etc.
Swan catheter
what is PAPI score? Formula and normal value - Ans differen3ates between the LV/RV
disfunc3on, if low = RV dysfunc3on
PAPi= (sPAP-dPAP)/RA
it is the pa sys - the pa dyastolic / right atrial pressure- can get these numbers from swan
normal is >1.0
Formula for cardiac power output (CPO) and normal value - Ans CPO= MAP x CO/451
normal = 0.7 to 1 W
,what are the three key measurements for cardiogenic shock? - Ans PAPI
CPO
Lactate
what is cardiac power output? - Ans amount of energy available to maintain the perfusion of
the vital organs in shock
what does lactate in the blood mean and normal value? - Ans anerobic metabolism is
occurring
normal is 0.9 to 1.7
what are the two goals of mechanical circulatory support? - Ans restore adequate end organ
perfusion
ventricular unloading
how does the impella CP work as an LV vent? - Ans drains at LV and returns at the aor3c arch
provides 3-3.5 LPM of flow
what are the 5 factors affec3ng pharmacokine3cs with cri3cal illness? - Ans 1. augmented
cardiac output
2. leaky capillaries
3. volume resusita3on
4. end-organ perfusion
, 5. altered protein binding
what is pharmacodynamics? - Ans the bodys biological response to the drug
what are the factors 5 affec3ng pharmacokine3cs with ECMO? - Ans 1. augmented cardiac
output
2. leaky capillaries
3. end-organ perfusion
4. hemodilu3on
5. drug sequestra3on
which drugs should you avoid with ecmo? - Ans benzos!!! lipophillic and sequester in the
tubing
why do we need an3coagula3on on ecmo? - Ans blood contacts the ecmo circuit causing a sirs
response and leads to:
inflamma3on/vasodila3on
coagula3on
altered fibrinolysis
how does heparin work? - Ans Ac3vates an3thrombin III -> inac3vates thrombin, factor IXa, &
factor Xa.
what are the 3 defini3ons of ards and how are they defined? - Ans 1. Mild- pf ra3o is 200-300
mmhg w/peep or CPAP > 5
2. moderate - pf ra3o is 100 - 200 mmhg w/ peep or CPAP > 5
3. severe- pf ra3o is <100 mmhg with peep > 5
2025/2026 100% verified correct
How to recognize cardiogenic shock? (acronym) - Ans CS-MODE
Cardiac Rhythm
SBP <90
Markers- cardiac
Output- oliguria
Drips - Inotropes/ pressers
Exam - cool, clammy, resp distress
How to diagnose shock ( acronym) - Ans (ECLS )
ECG
Consult- surgeon
Labs- lactates, abgs etc.
Swan catheter
what is PAPI score? Formula and normal value - Ans differen3ates between the LV/RV
disfunc3on, if low = RV dysfunc3on
PAPi= (sPAP-dPAP)/RA
it is the pa sys - the pa dyastolic / right atrial pressure- can get these numbers from swan
normal is >1.0
Formula for cardiac power output (CPO) and normal value - Ans CPO= MAP x CO/451
normal = 0.7 to 1 W
,what are the three key measurements for cardiogenic shock? - Ans PAPI
CPO
Lactate
what is cardiac power output? - Ans amount of energy available to maintain the perfusion of
the vital organs in shock
what does lactate in the blood mean and normal value? - Ans anerobic metabolism is
occurring
normal is 0.9 to 1.7
what are the two goals of mechanical circulatory support? - Ans restore adequate end organ
perfusion
ventricular unloading
how does the impella CP work as an LV vent? - Ans drains at LV and returns at the aor3c arch
provides 3-3.5 LPM of flow
what are the 5 factors affec3ng pharmacokine3cs with cri3cal illness? - Ans 1. augmented
cardiac output
2. leaky capillaries
3. volume resusita3on
4. end-organ perfusion
, 5. altered protein binding
what is pharmacodynamics? - Ans the bodys biological response to the drug
what are the factors 5 affec3ng pharmacokine3cs with ECMO? - Ans 1. augmented cardiac
output
2. leaky capillaries
3. end-organ perfusion
4. hemodilu3on
5. drug sequestra3on
which drugs should you avoid with ecmo? - Ans benzos!!! lipophillic and sequester in the
tubing
why do we need an3coagula3on on ecmo? - Ans blood contacts the ecmo circuit causing a sirs
response and leads to:
inflamma3on/vasodila3on
coagula3on
altered fibrinolysis
how does heparin work? - Ans Ac3vates an3thrombin III -> inac3vates thrombin, factor IXa, &
factor Xa.
what are the 3 defini3ons of ards and how are they defined? - Ans 1. Mild- pf ra3o is 200-300
mmhg w/peep or CPAP > 5
2. moderate - pf ra3o is 100 - 200 mmhg w/ peep or CPAP > 5
3. severe- pf ra3o is <100 mmhg with peep > 5
