VA-ECMO Trainer

VA-ECMO Trainer is an interactive, offline educational tool for learning the physiology of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) at the bedside. Designed for medical students, residents, ICU and cardiac-ICU nurses, perfusionists and educators, it turns abstract circulatory-support concepts into a hands-on, simulated patient you can adjust and observe in real time. Every control you move updates the monitor, the regional saturations and the aortic mixing picture together — so you see the physiological consequence immediately. WHAT YOU CAN EXPLORE • Harlequin / differential hypoxia (north–south syndrome) — right-radial vs left-radial and leg blood gases, preductal vs postductal saturation, cerebral and limb NIRS. • LV ballooning — aortic valve closure, LV distension, pulmonary edema, and unloading with inotrope / IABP / Impella / lower flow. • Limb ischemia — femoral cannula occlusion, distal perfusion cannula, compartment syndrome. • Impella / ECPELLA — Impella P-level unloading combined with VA-ECMO. • Weaning — a turn-down trial that distinguishes a recovered from a failing heart. KEY FEATURES • Real-time bedside monitor with live ECG, arterial line, dual pleth (right arm + leg) and CVP waveforms, plus an oxygenator pressure strip. • VA-ECMO console: pump speed (RPM) to flow, gas blender (FiO₂ + sweep), Impella P-level, and a pressure-control ventilator. • Steady-state physiology engine: aortic watershed / mixing point, LV pressure–volume model, haemoglobin-based O₂ delivery, acid–base from sweep gas, regional NIRS. • Movable aortic transition point illustration that recolours the aorta and arch branches by the ECMO ↔ native mixing front. • Regional NIRS (cerebral + lower limb) and dual radial blood gases — the classic VA-ECMO teaching signals. • Challenge mode: diagnose the hidden scenario, treat it, and get scored against scenario-specific goals. • Built-in teaching reference table. • Works fully offline — no account, no internet, no data collection. HOW IT HELPS LEARNING Instead of memorising numbers, learners manipulate the circuit and the patient and immediately see the consequences — why a recovering heart re-opens the aortic valve and shifts the mixing point down the aorta, how differential hypoxia appears first on the right radial and cerebral NIRS, when a distended LV needs unloading, and what a safe weaning trial looks like. IMPORTANT — EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY This application is a simplified teaching model of ECMO physiology. It is NOT a medical device and must NOT be used for clinical decisions, diagnosis, treatment, or patient care. Always rely on validated clinical judgement, institutional protocols and device manuals.