COVID-19: A new challenge for ECMO.

ABSTRACT

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.