“ECMO Simulation Course” Held at Üsküdar University

The “ECMO Simulation Course” was organized by the Department of Perfusion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Üsküdar University. The course brought together intensive care specialists, emergency medicine specialists, surgeons, perfusionists, and perfusion students. In the training, which was conducted with theoretical presentations, hands-on practice on mannequins, and real-time simulation scenarios, different stages of ECMO applications were addressed with a focus on teamwork. 

The ECMO Simulation Course, held at the El Razi Conference Hall of Üsküdar University NP Health Campus, was conducted with the participation of experts and students from different health disciplines. 

In the course organized with the support of Getinge Medical, many topics were covered, from cannulation to circuit management in ECMO applications, and from clinical and technical complications to the process of patient weaning from ECMO support.

ECMO applications were discussed with theoretical and practical training

The course, whose training staff included Prof. Ali Kocailik, Head of the Department of Perfusion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Üsküdar University, Dr. Kadir Doğruer, Instructor İsmail Yerli, Instructor Tarık Demir and Research Assistant Ece Dereağzı, continued with practical training after short presentations. 
In the training, which also included contributions from Uğur Altuncu from Getinge Medical, the teamwork-based nature of ECMO applications was emphasized with different fields of expertise meeting on the same platform.

The setup of the ECMO system was explained

In the first session of the course, topics such as cannulation, priming, and the setup of the ECMO system were discussed. 

Dr. Kadir Doğruer explained ECMO cannulation techniques, arterial and venous cannula selection, cannula positioning, fixation methods, and possible complications. Prof. Ali Kocailik provided information on VA and VV ECMO cannulation strategies, cannulation complications, and anticoagulation.

Instructor İsmail Yerli conveyed technical information regarding ECMO circuit components, prime de-airing, circuit safety, and system operation, while Instructor Tarık Demir addressed ECMO setup, circuit connections, wet-to-wet connection technique, and post-cannulation circuit control.

Hands-on practice was conducted on mannequins

Following the presentations, the practical application section began. Participants had the opportunity to practice on a cannulation mannequin, experiencing cannulation, priming, and circuit connections. Thanks to the applications projected onto the camera and screen, the training process could be followed by all participants.

ECMO physiology and clinical complications were evaluated

In the afternoon sessions, the focus was on ECMO physiology and clinical complications. Prof. Ali Kocailik addressed VA and VV ECMO physiology, as well as Harlequin syndrome and NIRS monitoring. Dr. Kadir Doğruer provided information on distal perfusion disorder and NIRS monitoring, while Instructor İsmail Yerli presented on recirculation in VV ECMO, and Instructor Tarık Demir delivered a presentation on venous drainage problems.

In the session, clinical problems that may be encountered during the ECMO process, patient monitoring, and the management of potential complications were evaluated from different perspectives.

Crisis scenarios were practiced with real-time simulations

In the final section of the course, technical complications and advanced ECMO applications were addressed based on scenarios, using the Califia 3.0 high-fidelity simulation system. In applications where the Getinge Cardiohelp ECMO System and cannulation mannequin were also used, participants gained experience through scenarios reflecting real clinical processes.

Within the scope of the simulation, oxygenator change, weaning from VA and VV ECMO, mechanical failures and emergency drive applications, H-line, hemofiltration, and hemadsorption connections were practiced. Tarık Demir and İsmail Yerli conducted the oxygenator change application, while Prof. Ali Kocailik and Dr. Kadir Doğruer addressed the ECMO weaning processes. Mechanical failures, emergency drive, and H-line applications were performed by Tarık Demir; hemofiltration and hemadsorption connection were performed by İsmail Yerli.

Teamwork and practical experience stood out in ECMO

The course, where different stages of ECMO were practiced with realistic scenarios, from cannulation to the weaning process, and from routine applications to technical problems requiring emergency intervention, offered participants the opportunity to improve their practical experience.