E-resources
Peer reviewed
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Hurtado, Sebastian; Sepulveda, Veronica; Godoy, Cesar; Bahamondes, Rodrigo; Kattan, Eduardo; Mendez, Magdalena; Besa, Santiago
Perfusion, 12/2023Journal Article
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (ECMO) is a well-established therapy for respiratory failure. Refractory hypoxemia, despite the use of ECMO, remains a challenging problem. The ECMO circuit may not provide enough oxygenation support in the presence of high cardiac output, increased physiologic demand, and impaired gas exchange. Adding a second ECMO oxygenator using the same pump (sometimes needing a second drainage cannula) can improve oxygenation and facilitate lung-protective ventilation in selected patients. We describe a 3-patient series with severe ARDS secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection and refractory hypoxemia during ECMO support successfully treated with this approach.
