Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Coronavirus Disease 2019-associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: An Initial US Experience at a High-volume Centre.

Abstract

In select COVID-19 patients suffering from severe ARDS refractory to conventional therapy, ECMO might be an outcome altering therapy. Respiratory ECMO Survival Prediction (RESP) score appears to be a reliable prognostication tool in selecting COVID-19 patients most likely to benefit from ECMO. Early and frequent evaluation of critically ill COVID-19 patients for ECMO therapy could facilitate timely initiation, and ultimately, favourable outcomes. ECMO is a finite resource, and thus must be used judiciously, especially in the midst of a pandemic where all resources are stretched thin.