Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

March 24, 2020

Planning and provision of ECMO services for severe ARDS during the COVID-19 pandemic and other outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases

Category:

Topic:

  • WHO interim guidelines recommend offering extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to eligible patients who develop severe ARDS associated with COVID-19. 
  • Given the practical restraints of substantially increasing the global availability of ECMO services during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to consider other evidence-based treatment options for severe ARDS patients. 

Kollengode et al. (Mar 20, 2020). Planning and provision of ECMO services for severe ARDS during the COVID-19 pandemic and other outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases. Lancet Respiratory Med. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(20)30121-1

Matthay (Mar 20, 2020). Treatment for secure acute respiratory distress syndrome from COVID-19. Lancet Respiratory Med. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(20)30127-2