Mobile ECMO retrieval of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

Artif Organs. 2021 Oct;45(10):1168-1172. doi: 10.1111/aor.14030. Epub 2021 Jul 20.

Abstract

ECMO support is particularly resource-intensive and should be provided in highly specialized centers. Occasionally, ECMO needs to be initiated in non-ECMO centers by mobile ECMO retrieval teams. Subsequently, patients must be transferred on ECMO to the ECMO center. We report single-center data from out-of-center initiations of ECMO during the COVID-19 pandemic. From March 2020 through February 2021, nine patients were connected to ECMO before transfer to our center. Median travel distance (IQR) from the referring hospital to our center was 66 km (20-92), median land travel time (IQR) was 51 minutes (26-92). Personal protective equipment was available for all team members and used throughout the missions. No infections of team members with SARS-CoV-2 occurred. Three patients survived until hospital discharge. Median duration of ECMO (IQR) was 18 days (2-78) in survivors and 19 days (9-42) in non-survivors, respectively. Out-of-center initiation of ECMO during the COVID-19 pandemic was feasible and safe for patients and staff.

Keywords: COVID-19; ECMO; mobile ECMO retrieval.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis
  • COVID-19 / mortality
  • COVID-19 / therapy*
  • COVID-19 / transmission
  • Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation* / adverse effects
  • Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation* / mortality
  • Female
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / prevention & control
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mobile Health Units*
  • Occupational Exposure / prevention & control
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Referral and Consultation
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • Transportation of Patients*
  • Treatment Outcome