Advanced Ultrasound in Diagnosis and Therapy (Jun 2020)

Role of Ultrasound for Management of Critical Severe COVID-19 Patients with ECMO

  • Shunji Gao, MD, Liuqiong Ren, MD, Wenhong Gao, MD, Qun’an Huang, MD, Shengzheng Wu, MD, Jianqiu Hu, MD, Yuejuan Gao, MD, Faqin Lv, MD, Huijuan Xiang, MD

DOI
https://doi.org/10.37015/AUDT.2020.200033
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 2
pp. 134 – 137

Abstract

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Objective: To evaluate the role of ultrasound in the use and maintenance of ECMO for COVID-19 cases.Methods: During the outbreak of COVID-19 in China, three critically ill patients were treated with ECMO in our hospital. Bedside ultrasound was used throughout all procedures, including in the delivery and daily monitoring of ECMO.Results: Structural and functional changes of heart, pleural effusion, as well as thrombus formation in one patient’s right atrium were noted with ultrasonography. Using bedside ultrasound as a troubleshooting tool throughout ECMO therapy provided a lot of useful and reliable real-time information to assist clinical decision making.Conclusion: Ultrasound shall play an important role in the use and maintenance of ECMO for COVID-19 cases.

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