Use of hepatic support with MARS in a patient with SARS-CoV-2 Pneumonia, in treatment with ECMO and CRRT therapies: Case Report

Abstract

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) therapy had an important role in the treatment of severe COVID-19 pneumonia, where invasive mechanical ventilation was not enough to provide correct oxygenation to various organ systems. However, there are other extracorporeal technologies, such as the Molecular Absorbent Recirculation System (MARS) and Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT), that provide temporal support for any critical patient. The following case describes a 60-year-old man with severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), who needed ECMO therapy. During the critical days of hospitalization, CRRT was used, but a sudden hyperbilirubinemia ensued. Consequently, MARS therapy was initiated; followed by an improvement of bilirubin levels. Additional studies are needed to establish the possible benefits of the combination of MARS therapy and ECMO; however, we detected that concomitantly, there was a decrease in other laboratory parameters such as acute phase reactants. Even though, no change in clinical course was observed, as shown in some studies.