Course Content
Module 1: Basic ECMO
Module I: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Basics (ECMO Basics) This module covers the foundational knowledge of ECMO, including circuit physiology, components, and basic ECMO management. Duration: 3 Weeks (Course weeks 1 to 3) Week 1: Introduction to ECMO Week 2: ECMO Physiology & Circuit Management Week 3: ECMO Complications and Troubleshooting Module I Pretest: 30 MCQs
0/20
Handbook Module 1
Module 1 Pre test
Week 1 – Lecture A – Overview of ECMO Therapy, History of ECMO, and The Evidence behind ECMO (Dr. Giles Peek)
35:21
Week 1- Lecture B – Indications, and Basic Configurations of ECMO (Dr. Ahmed Hegazy)
39:31
Week 1 – Lecture C – ECMO Circuit Components: cannulas, tubing, pump, membrane oxygenator, pressure/flow monitors, and other additional components (Ahmed Hegazy)
26:29
Week 1 – Lecture D – Physiotherapy and Ambulation on ECMO Mr. Aaron Trush
36:31
Webinar 1 Records
02:15:27
Week 2 – Lecture A – ECMO physiology including oxygenation and CO2 removal – Dr Ahmed El Masry
48:26
Week 2 – B. Anticoagulation Management in ECMO Patients (Ryan Rivosecchi)
43:48
Week 2 – Lecture C – Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of sedatives and antimicrobials on ECMO ( Safa Al Marzooq)
31:47
Week 2 – Lecture D – Outcomes of VA & VV ECMO (Dr Amr Hashim)
26:51
Webinar 2 Records
57:00
Week 3 – Lecture A – ECMO Complications- Bleeding, thrombosis, hemolysis, and neurologic complications (Akram Zaaqoq) Mod
40:11
Week 3 – Lecture B – Troubleshooting ECMO Part I_ Drainage insufficiency, pump failure, and oxygenator failure (Ahmed Hegazy) Mod
36:59
Week 3 – Lecture C – Troubleshooting ECMO Part II/ Circuit disruption, air embolism and accidental decannulation (Ahmed El Masry)
28:34
Week 3 – Leture D – Management of cardiac arrest on VV ECMO (Ahmed Magdy)
26:36
Webinar 3A Records- Dr Maria De Piero
41:39
Webinar 3B Records- Dr Amr Hashem
32:48
Module 1 Post test
MODULE 1 Post Test Answer Key
Module II: Veno-venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VV ECMO)
This module focuses on the use of VV ECMO in patients with respiratory failure. Topics include ARDS management, VV ECMO cannulation strategies, and VV ECMO troubleshooting. Duration: 3 Weeks (Course weeks 4 to 6) Module II Pretest: 30 MCQs Week 4: VV ECMO Fundamentals Start Date: July 20, 2025 a. Respiratory failure and ARDS management (Ahmed Magdey) b. Evidence for VV ECMO use and landmark trials (Hesham Faisal) c. VV ECMO cannulation techniques and pros and cons of different VV ECMO configuration choices (Moustafa Esam) d. ECMO Retrieval and Patient Transport on ECMO (Ahmed Labib)
0/22
Handbook Module II
Module 2 Pre test
Week 4 – Lecture A – Respiratory failure and ARDS management. (Ahmed Magdy)
32:00
Week 4- Lecture B – Evidence for VV ECMO use and landmark trials. (Hesham Faisal)
36:53
Week 4 – Lecture C – VV ECMO cannulation techniques and pros and cons of different VV ECMO configuration choices. (Mostafa Esam)
28:16
Week 4 – Lecture D1 – Week 4 – D. ECMO Retrieval and Patient Transport on ECMO. (Ahmed Labib)
20:06
Week 4 – D2 – ECMO Retrieval Human Factors (Ahmed Labib).mp4
26:11
Webinar 4 Records
01:17:51
Week 5 – Lecture – A – Monitoring patients on VV ECMO. (Alyaa Al Hazmi)
17:36
Week 5 – Lecture B – Determinants of oxygenation on VV ECMO (Dr Ahmed Hegazy)
38:51
Week 5 – Lecture – C – Extracorporeal CO2 removal. (Mostafa Esam)
33:38
Week 5 – Lecture – D – Antithrombotic in ECMO and Impella. (Ryan Risovecci)
45:49
Week 5 – Lecture E – Mechanical ventilation goals on VV ECMO. (Abdel Hameed Abdel Haleem)
54:11
Webinar 5 Records
01:28:23
Week 6 – A – VV ECMO for ARDS in the setting of hematopoietic stem-cell transplant. (Dr Maria De Peiro)
34:20
Week 6 – Lecture B – ARDS in HIV Patients and VV ECMO Considerations Dr Mohamed Hussein Ahmed
25:30
Week 6 – Lecture C – Prone positioning on VV ECMO. (Akram Zaaqoq)
16:03
Week 6 – D – Weaning VV ECMO. (Hesham Faisal)
41:04
Week 6 – E – VV ECMO as a bridge to transplant or long-term support. (Ahmed Rabie)
32:01
Webinar 6 Records
58:44
Module 2 Post test
Module II Post Test Answer Key
Module III: Veno-arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VA ECMO)
This module focuses on VA ECMO for cardiogenic shock, including cannulation strategies, LV unloading, and advanced applications. Duration: 3 Weeks (Course weeks 7 to 9) Module II Pretest: 30 MCQs
0/19
Handbook Module III
Module 3 Pre Test
Week 7 – Lecture A – Cardiogenic shock overview: Pathophysiology, Classifications, Initial Management Steps, and Prognosis. (Hussam Ghalib)
22:47
Week 7- B – Short-term mechanical circulatory support in cardiogenic shock. Dr Babar Basir
41:52
Week 7 – Lecture C – Postcardiotomy shock: Peripheral versus Central VA ECMO cannulation. (Ahmed Hegazy)
45:09
Week 7 – Lecture D – PVA ECMO for Adult Congenital Heart Disease (Amr Hashem)
21:04
Webinar 7 Records
01:12:11
Week 8 – Lecture A – Monitoring patients on VA ECMO. (Amr Hashem)
30:57
Week 8 – Lecure B – Anticoagulation targets and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) Dr Ahmed Zaki
22:20
Week 8 – Lecture C – Complications- Limb ischemia, differential hypoxia, LV distention (Ahmed Hegazy)
43:06
Week 8 – Lecture D – D. Weaning from VA ECMO. (Aws Alherbish)
31:08
Webinar 8 Records
01:41:20
WEEK 9 – A – VA ECMO for sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy and trauma patients. (Ahmed Labib)
26:23
Week 9 – Lecture B – B. ECMO in pregnancy and peripartum cardiomyopathy. (Hesham Faisal)
33:10
Week 9 – Lecture C – Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR). (Kumait Al Lawati)
35:05
Week 9 – Lecture D – Death by neurologic criteria (DNC) on VA ECMO. (Akram Zaaqoq)
00:00
Webinar 9 Records
50:26
Module 3 Post Test
03-MODULE 3 Post Test with Answer Key
Module IV: Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS)
This module focuses on short-term MCS devices, including IABP, Impella, and RVADs, and their role in cardiogenic shock. In addition, acute post-implant care of the durable LVAD patient is discussed. Duration: 3 Weeks (Course weeks 10 to 12)
0/15
Module 4 PRE test
Week 10 – A – Cardiogenic shock: Presentation, monitoring, and management. (Aws Alherbish)
39:22
Week 10 – Lecture B – Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP): Indications, insertion, and complications. (Ahmed Hegazy)
46:51
Week 10 – Lecture C – Micro-axial flow pumps (Impella): Indications and troubleshooting. (Hussam Ghalib)
33:15
Webinar 10 Records
01:29:04
Week 11 – A
Week 11 – B – Durable LVADs_ Acute post-implant care. (Ahmed Hegazy)
57:29
Week 11 – C – Team-based care: Cardiogenic shock (CS) teams and Pulmonary Embolism Response Teams. (Ahmed El-Masry)
29:06
Webinar 11 Records
50:38
Week 12 – Lecture A – The role of echocardiography in MCS patients. (Hatem Soliman)
31:06
Week 12 – Lecture B
Week 12 – Lecture C – Future therapeutic uses of nitric oxide in Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (Prof Giles Peek)
16:33
Week 12 – Lecture D – Future directions in ECMO. (Prof. Giles Peek)
19:37
Webinar 12 Records
01:32:12
Module 4 POST test
Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) and Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) course (Copy 4)

VV ECMO Weaning: Principles, Process, and Pitfalls

Goals of VV ECMO

  • Provide temporary replacement of lung function in severe ARDS.

  • Allow lung healing while minimizing ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) through ultra-protective ventilation.

  • ECMO handles oxygenation and CO₂ removal until lungs recover.

Key Questions Addressed

  • Wean ventilator first or ECMO first?

  • How to assess lung recovery readiness?

  • What parameters guide weaning?

  • How to perform sweep gas off and oxygen challenge trials?

  • What to do in case of failure to wean?

Ventilator vs ECMO First

  • Most cases: Wean ventilator first; ECMO continues while lungs rest.

  • Awake ECMO: Used as a bridge to transplant or in prolonged ECMO runs (e.g., COVID-19), allowing mobilization, physio, and avoiding deconditioning.

  • Benefits: no sedation, early rehab, patient comfort, preserved transplant eligibility.

Assessing Readiness to Wean

  • Clinical stability: hemodynamically stable, minimal/no vasopressors, no sepsis.

  • Resolution of acute illness (pneumonia, trauma, etc.).

  • Ventilator parameters:

    • FiO₂ ≤ 0.6, PEEP ≤ 10 cmH₂O.

    • Tidal volume 4–6 ml/kg PBW, plateau < 28 cmH₂O, driving pressure < 15.

    • Compliance improving, reduced elastance/resistance.

  • Imaging: chest X-ray/ultrasound show resolution.

  • Work of breathing: low, P0.1 within normal limits.

  • ABG: adequate oxygenation (PaO₂ > 70 mmHg) and pH (>7.3) on protective ventilation.

Stepwise Weaning Algorithm (ELSO)

  1. Reduce ECMO FiO₂ gradually from 100% to 21%, targeting SpO₂ > 92%, PaO₂ > 70.

  2. Reduce sweep gas flow in steps (0.5–1 L/min), checking ABG after each change.

    • Success = stable SpO₂ (>92%), acceptable pH, no excessive work of breathing.

      Gas sweep off trial: keep sweep off for 2–3 hours.

  3. If trial successful → decannulation.

Special Testing Approaches

  • 100% oxygen challenge: FiO₂ 1.0 for 15 minutes; PaO₂ >225 mmHg suggests lung recovery.

  • CO₂ clearance tests: Compare native vs membrane CO₂ elimination; end-tidal CO₂/PaCO₂ ratio >80% predicts success.

Decannulation

  • Prepare for bleeding (large cannulas).

  • Stop anticoagulation pre-procedure.

  • Use compression/sutures post-removal.

  • Ultrasound for DVT surveillance within 24h.

Failure to Wean

  • Causes: irreversible fibrosis, persistent low compliance, high driving pressures, repeated sepsis, multi-organ failure, airway hemorrhage.

  • Exit strategies:

    • End-of-life care after multidisciplinary/family discussion.

    • Referral for lung transplant (if eligible).

    • Long-term ventilation (tracheostomy, home or facility-based).

    • Awake ECMO bridge if candidate.

Pitfalls & Key Lessons

  • Ultra-protective ventilation first 72h is critical (Vt 1–4 ml/kg PBW, very low driving pressure).

  • Avoid increasing ventilator settings to “fix” hypoxia → defeats ECMO purpose.

  • Hypoxia should trigger evaluation of ECMO circuit/patient issues, not just ventilator escalation.

  • Daily multidisciplinary review: lung compliance, X-ray, ultrasound, ABG, ventilator parameters.

  • Don’t prolong ECMO unnecessarily—timely weaning prevents complications (bleeding, infection, hemolysis).

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