Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for COVID-19–associated Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Chile: A Nationwide Incidence and Cohort Study

• Published in: American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine Vol. 204; no. 1; pp. 34 - 43
• Main Authors: Diaz, Rodrigo A., Graf, Jerónimo, Zambrano, José M., Ruiz, Carolina, Espinoza, Juan A., Bravo, Sebastian I., Salazar, Pablo A., Bahamondes, Juan C., Castillo, Luis B., Gajardo, Abraham I. J., Kursbaum, Andrés, Ferreira, Leonila L., Valenzuela, Josefa, Castillo, Roberto E., Pérez-Araos, Rodrigo A., Bravo, Marcela, Aquevedo, Andrés F., González, Mauricio G., Pereira, Rodrigo, Ortega, Leandro, Santis, César, Fernández, Paula A., Cortés, Vilma, Cornejo, Rodrigo A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York American Thoracic Society 01-07-2021
• Subjects: Cohort analysis; COVID-19; Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; Life support systems; Original; Pandemics; Resource allocation; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Chile
• ISSN: 1073-449X; 1535-4970
• DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202011-4166OC

The role of and needs for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) at a population level during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic have not been completely established. Here, a study that identifies the cumulative incidence of ECMO use in the first pandemic wave is offered. It has been concluded that documenting nationwide ECMO needs may help in planning ECMO provision for future COVID-19 pandemic waves. The 90-day mortality of the Chilean cohort of ECMO-supported patients with COVID-19 (38.8%) is comparable to that of previous reports.