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COVID-19 Patient Bridged to Recovery with Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
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  • Dan Rinewalt,
  • Antonio Coppolino,
  • Raghu Seethala,
  • Nirmal Sharma,
  • Ali Salim,
  • Steven Keller,
  • Hari Mallidi
Dan Rinewalt
Brigham and Women's Hospital

Corresponding Author:drinewalt@bwh.harvard.edu

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Antonio Coppolino
Brigham and Women's Hospital
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Raghu Seethala
Brigham and Women's Hospital
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Nirmal Sharma
Brigham and Women's Hospital
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Ali Salim
Brigham and Women's Hospital
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Steven Keller
Brigham and Women's Hospital
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Hari Mallidi
Brigham and Women's Hospital
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Abstract

Background: In severe cases, the COVID-19 viral pathogen produces hypoxic respiratory failure unable to be adequately supported by mechanical ventilation. The role of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remains unknown, with the few publications to date lacking detailed patient information or management algorithms all while reporting excessive mortality. Methods: Case report from a prospectively maintained institutional ECMO database for COVID-19. Results: We describe veno-venous (VV) ECMO in a COVID-19 positive woman with hypoxic respiratory dysfunction failing mechanical ventilation support while prone and receiving inhaled pulmonary vasodilator therapy. After nine days of complex management secondary to her hyperdynamic circulation, ECMO support was successfully weaned to supine mechanical ventilation and the patient was ultimately discharged from the hospital. Conclusions: With proper patient selection and careful attention to hemodynamic management, ECMO remains a reasonable treatment option for COVID-19 patients.
10 May 2020Submitted to Journal of Cardiac Surgery
11 May 2020Submission Checks Completed
11 May 2020Assigned to Editor
11 May 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
17 May 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
17 May 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
10 Jun 20201st Revision Received
13 Jun 2020Submission Checks Completed
13 Jun 2020Assigned to Editor
13 Jun 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
13 Jun 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
13 Jun 2020Editorial Decision: Accept
Oct 2020Published in Journal of Cardiac Surgery volume 35 issue 10 on pages 2869-2871. 10.1111/jocs.14829