Specific Considerations for Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation during Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

Abstract

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is recognized as organ support for potentially reversible acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, limited resource during the outbreak and the coagulopathy associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) make the utilization of venovenous (VV) ECMO highly challenging. We herein report specific considerations for cannulation configurations and ECMO management during the pandemic. High blood flow and anticoagulation at higher levels than usual practice for VV ECMO may be required because of thrombotic hematologic profile of COVID-19. Among our first 24 cases (48.8 ± 8.9 years), 17 patients were weaned from ECMO after a mean duration of 19.0 ± 10.1 days and 16 of them have been discharged from ICU.