COVID results in a variety of pathophysiology that causes cardiorespiratory and the need for ECMO. These include hypoxic respiratory failure, cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest, multisystem inflammatory disease, and vascular thrombosis with pulmonary embolism. A variety of cannulation strategies are required and the “hyperinflammation” and consequent coagulation abnormalities mandate new strategies to provide optimal ECMO support.
BarbaroRPMacLarenGBoonstraPS, et al. Extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation support in COVID-19: an international cohort study of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry [published correction appears in Lancet. 2020 Oct 10;396(10257):1070]. Lancet2020; 396: 1071–1078.
2.
BorczukACSalvatoreSPSeshanSV, et al. COVID-19 pulmonary pathology: a multi-institutional autopsy cohort from Italy and New York City. Mod Pathol2020; 33: 2156–2168.
3.
TangNLiDWangX, et al. Abnormal coagulation parameters are associated with poor prognosis in patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia. J Thromb Haemost2020; 18: 844–847.
4.
SchmidtMHajageDLebretonG, et al. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome associated with COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study. Lancet Respir Med2020; 8: 1121–1131.
5.
GaisendreesCWalterSGElderiaA, et al. Adequate anticoagulation and ECMO therapy in COVID-19 patients with severe pulmonary embolism. Perfusion 2021; 36: 575–581. DOI: 10.1177/0267659120979887.
6.
WoYBrisboisEJBartlettRH, et al. Recent advances in thromboresistant and antimicrobial polymers for biomedical applications: just say yes to nitric oxide. Biomater Sci2016; 4: 1161–1183.
7.
ChilettiRHortonSBednarzA, et al. Safety of nitric oxide added to the ECMO circuit: a pilot study in children. Perfusion2018; 33: 74–76.
8.
National COVID-19 clinical evidence taskforce. Caring for people with COVID-19, https://covid19evidence.net.au/ (accessed 19 November 2020)