Recovery of Lung Function After 149 Days on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for COVID-19

Abstract

Abstract This report highlights survival and the patient’s perspective after prolonged venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for COVID-19–related respiratory failure. A 36-year-old man with COVID-19 presented with fever, anosmia, and hypoxia. After respiratory deterioration necessitating intubation and lung-protective ventilation, he was referred for ECMO. After 3 days of conventional venovenous ECMO, he required multiple creative cannulation configurations. Adequate sedation and recurrent bradycardia were persistent challenges. After 149 consecutive days of ECMO, he recovered native lung function and was weaned from mechanical ventilation. This represents the longest-duration ECMO support in a survivor of COVID-19 yet reported. Necessary strategies included unconventional cannulation and flexible anticoagulation.