In it for the long run! Long-Term ECMO as a Bridge to Recovery in Severe COVID-19 ARDS

ABSTRACT

Introduction: During the pandemic, various guidelines were developed for the utilization of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for COVID-19 ARDS. However, once patients were cannulated for ECMO, the timeframe for lung recovery and referral for lung transplantation was less clear. To date, there are few reported cases of successful long-term (>28 days) ECMO as a bridge to lung recovery. Method(s) We present three patients who were referred for lung transplantation for severe COVID-19 associated respiratory failure and ultimately achieved successful lung recovery following long-term venovenous ECMO support. Patients presented at different stages of the pandemic, were of different ethnicities, aged 35-54 years old, average BMI of 27.6 and two were male. Prior to cannulation, all patients failed mechanical ventilation, prone positioning, neuromuscular blockade and pulmonary vasodilators. Patients were cannulated within 7 days of intubation, underwent early tracheostomy and participated in ambulatory physical therapy. Complications during ECMO included acute renal failure requiring renal replacement therapy, pneumothorax, right ventricular dysfunction and concomitant bacterial pneumonia with bacteremia. The median duration of ECMO was 104 days (range 84-142 days). Radiographic imaging reported end stage restrictive changes in all patients. Survival to hospital discharge was 100%. All patients had complete renal recovery, resolution of RV dysfunction and functional independence without oxygen. Radiographic changes and pulmonary function continued to improve after decannulation. Conclusion(s) Long-term ECMO is an effective strategy for lung recovery in severe COVID-19 ARDS. Duration of ECMO support and radiographic findings should not be used alone to determine recoverability or need for lung transplantation.