1. Potential for recovery after extremely prolonged VV-ECMO support in well-selected severe COVID-19 patients: a retrospective cohort study.
- Author
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de Walque JM, de Terwangne C, Jungers R, Pierard S, Beauloye C, Laarbaui F, Dechamps M, and Jacquet LM
- Subjects
- Adult, Humans, Retrospective Studies, Belgium, Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, COVID-19 complications, COVID-19 therapy, Respiratory Distress Syndrome therapy
- Abstract
Background: VenoVenous ExtraCorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VV-ECMO) has been widely used as supportive therapy for severe respiratory failure related to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) due to coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Only a few data describe the maximum time under VV-ECMO during which pulmonary recovery remains possible. The main objective of this study is to describe the outcomes of prolonged VV-ECMO in patients with COVID-19-related ARDS., Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary ECMO center in Brussels, Belgium, between March 2020 and April 2022. All adult patients with ARDS due to COVID-19 who were managed with ECMO therapy for more than 50 days as a bridge to recovery were included., Results: Fourteen patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean duration of VV-ECMO was 87 ± 29 days. Ten (71%) patients were discharged alive from the hospital. The 90-day survival was 86%, and the one-year survival was 71%. The evolution of the patients was characterized by very impaired pulmonary compliance that started to improve slowly and progressively on day 53 (± 25) after the start of ECMO. Of note, four patients improved substantially after a second course of steroids., Conclusions: There is potential for recovery in patients with very severe ARDS due to COVID-19 supported by VV-ECMO for up to 151 days., (© 2024. The Author(s).)
- Published
- 2024
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