Open AccessVeno‐venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for severe pneumonia: COVID‐19 case in Japan
Author(s) -
Taniguchi Hayato,
Ogawa Fumihiro,
Honzawa Hiroshi,
Yamaguchi Keishi,
Niida Shoko,
Shinohara Mafumi,
Takahashi Kohei,
Iwashita Masayuki,
Abe Takeru,
Kubo Sousuke,
Kudo Makoto,
Takeuchi Ichiro
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
acute medicine and surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2052-8817
DOI - 10.1002/ams2.509
Subject(s) - extracorporeal membrane oxygenation , medicine , pneumonia , lopinavir , covid-19 , respiratory failure , renal replacement therapy , intensive care medicine , anesthesia , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty)
Background Veno‐venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV‐ECMO) is one of the ultimate treatments for acute respiratory failure. However, the effectiveness of ECMO in patients with novel coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) is unknown. Case Presentation A 72‐year‐old woman who was a passenger of a cruise ship tested positive for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) while in quarantine on board using throat swab. Three days after admission, her condition deteriorated, and she was subsequently intubated. On day 6, VV‐ECMO was introduced. Lopinavir/ritonavir was given; continuous renal replacement therapy was also introduced. On day 10, her chest radiography and lung compliance improved. She was weaned off ECMO on day 12. Conclusion Treatment of severe pneumonia in COVID‐19 by ECMO should recognize lung plasticity considering time to ECMO introduction and interstitial biomarkers. In Japan, centralization of ECMO patients has not been sufficient. Thus, we suggest nationwide centralization and further research to respond to the crisis caused by COVID‐19.