Critical care: ECMO configurations: practice question

A Anaesthesia question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anaesthesia · Critical care: ECMO configurations

Sample item

A young patient with severe refractory ARDS has adequate cardiac function. Which ECMO configuration is appropriate?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Veno-venous ECMO

Veno-venous ECMO drains and returns blood to the venous system and provides oxygenation and CO2 removal for severe respiratory failure when the heart is working. Veno-arterial ECMO also supports the circulation and is used for cardiogenic shock or refractory arrest. Both are used in specialised centres.

Option by option

  • A. Intra-aortic balloon pump only

    A balloon pump supports the failing left ventricle and not gas exchange.

  • B. Veno-venous ECMO (correct)

    Correct. VV ECMO supports gas exchange only.

  • C. Veno-arterial ECMO

    VA ECMO supports the circulation and is for cardiac failure.

  • D. Left ventricular assist device

    A ventricular assist device supports the heart and not the lungs.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is B, Veno-venous ECMO. Veno-venous ECMO drains and returns blood to the venous system and provides oxygenation and CO2 removal for severe respiratory failure when the heart is working.

Why is "Intra-aortic balloon pump only" not the answer?

A balloon pump supports the failing left ventricle and not gas exchange.

Why is "Veno-arterial ECMO" not the answer?

VA ECMO supports the circulation and is for cardiac failure.

Why is "Left ventricular assist device" not the answer?

A ventricular assist device supports the heart and not the lungs.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Critical care: ECMO configurations in Anaesthesia. Veno-arterial ECMO also supports the circulation and is used for cardiogenic shock or refractory arrest. Both are used in specialised centres.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Critical care: ECMO configurations?

Make a table of each agent, its key advantage and its main side effect. Then use the flashcards and the other Anaesthesia questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.