Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in COVID-19: an international cohort study of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry

Study (n=1035) found an increased risk of in-hospital mortality in those requiring ECMO (HR 1·89, 95% CI 1·20–2·97). In this cohort, the estimated in hospital mortality at 90 days was 37.4%, and the mortality in those with a final disposition of death or discharge was 39%.

SPS commentary:

The researchers note that these data provide generalisable estimate of ECMO mortality, and support existing recommendations to consider use of ECMO in refractory COVID-19-related respiratory failure when performed in experienced centres.

The Lancet