ECMO Equipment & Technology Flashcards
6 cards from real CES practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 ECMO Equipment & Technology flashcards as text
What is the function of a 'bladder box' or venous reservoir in some ECMO systems?
Answer: To act as a collapsible reservoir that triggers automatic pump speed reduction when venous return is insufficient, preventing inlet suction
A bladder box or venous reservoir collapses when inlet flow is insufficient, triggering automatic pump speed reduction to prevent excessive negative pressure and suction injury.
Which ECMO circuit component is most prone to air entrapment and requires careful de-airing during priming?
Answer: The oxygenator housing and hollow fiber bundle
The hollow-fiber oxygenator housing is the component most prone to air entrapment during circuit priming and requires meticulous de-airing maneuvers.
What is the purpose of a 'pigtail' sampling port on an ECMO circuit?
Answer: To allow blood sampling for laboratory analysis without opening the circuit or interrupting flow
Pigtail sampling ports allow blood to be drawn for ABG and laboratory testing without opening the circuit, maintaining sterility and preventing air entry.
The SvO2 (venous oxygen saturation) measured in the ECMO drainage limb reflects:
Answer: The patient's oxygen delivery-consumption balance; falling SvO2 indicates increased O2 extraction due to inadequate DO2
Drainage limb SvO2 reflects mixed venous saturation, indicating the balance between oxygen delivery and consumption — falling values signal inadequate systemic oxygen delivery.
Modern ECMO controllers with automated flow-servo algorithms primarily respond to changes in:
Answer: Inlet pressure (drainage negativity) to adjust pump speed and prevent suction events
Automated servo algorithms monitor inlet (drainage) negative pressure and automatically reduce pump speed when dangerous negativity is detected, preventing suction events.
Which statement about ECMO circuit priming volume is most accurate for neonatal vs. adult patients?
Answer: Neonatal ECMO priming volume is large relative to total blood volume, requiring blood prime to prevent severe hemodilution; adult circuits have proportionally smaller priming impact
In neonates, ECMO circuit priming volume (approximately 300–500 mL) is comparable to or exceeds the infant's total blood volume (~85 mL/kg), necessitating a blood prime to prevent severe hemodilution and cardiovascular compromise.