The mean duration from ECMO initiation to extubation was 2.6 days.  73% of patients were discharged from the hospital after ECMO initiation.

Johns Hopkins University

Researchers collected retrospective data from 40 COVID-19 patients in severe respiratory failure who all received ECMO.  All 40 of the patients had reached the maximum amount of support from their ventilators before being supported with ECMO.  Before ECMO support, all of the patients exhibited higher levels of inflammatory markers.  After receiving ECMO, the average time to extubation was 2.6 days, and 80% of the patients did not require ECMO support thereafter.  73% of the patients were discharged from the hospital and did not need further oxygen support. There were little complications, but mortality was 15%.  Although the overall results are favorable, further research is needed to confirm the potential benefits of using ECMO care due to the limited research that exists currently.       

ECMO for COVID-19 Patients in Severe Respiratory Failure

Mustafa AK, Alexander PJ, Joshi DJ, et al. Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Patients With COVID-19 in Severe Respiratory Failure. JAMA Surg. Published online August 11, 2020. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2020.3950

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