Thrombotic Events Related to Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in COVID-19-Associated Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Hypercoagulopathy associated with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is the leading cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multiple organ failure, and mortality. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used to manage patients with COVID 19-associated severe respiratory or cardiac failure. In this report, we aim to summarise our experience with deadly thrombotic complications during venovenous ECMO (vvECMO) treatment in 6 patients with COVID-19-associated ARDS between March 19, 2020 and April 20, 2020. Based on our experience with 6 COVID-19-associated ARDS patients on ECMO, we intend to raise awareness regarding thrombotic complications leading to mortality.