ACLS: extracorporeal CPR: 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 · ACLS: extracorporeal CPR

Sample item

In which situation may extracorporeal CPR be considered?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Refractory arrest with a potentially reversible cause in a centre with the facility

ECPR places a patient on veno-arterial ECMO during arrest and is considered for selected patients with refractory arrest from a reversible cause, such as pulmonary embolism or hypothermia, when it can be started quickly by a trained team. It is not for patients with irreversible illness. Selection and timing determine benefit.

Option by option

  • A. Refractory arrest with a potentially reversible cause in a centre with the facility (correct)

    Correct. Selected patients with reversible causes in a capable centre may benefit.

  • B. Every in-hospital arrest

    ECPR is not indicated for all arrests.

  • C. Any arrest after 1 hour of asystole

    Prolonged asystole carries no realistic benefit.

  • D. Arrest from end-stage terminal illness

    Terminal illness is a contraindication.

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.

More Anaesthesia questions

Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is A, Refractory arrest with a potentially reversible cause in a centre with the facility. ECPR places a patient on veno-arterial ECMO during arrest and is considered for selected patients with refractory arrest from a reversible cause, such as pulmonary embolism or hypothermia, when it can be started quickly by a trained team.

Why is "Every in-hospital arrest" not the answer?

ECPR is not indicated for all arrests.

Why is "Any arrest after 1 hour of asystole" not the answer?

Prolonged asystole carries no realistic benefit.

Why is "Arrest from end-stage terminal illness" not the answer?

Terminal illness is a contraindication.

What concept does this question test?

It tests ACLS: extracorporeal CPR in Anaesthesia. It is not for patients with irreversible illness. Selection and timing determine benefit.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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 ACLS: extracorporeal CPR?

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.