First successful treatment of COVID-19 induced refractory cardiogenic plus vasoplegic shock by combination of pVAD and ECMO – a case report

Xavier Bemtgen, Kirsten Krüger, Alexander Supady, Daniel Dürschmied, David Schibilsky, Fabian Bamberg, Christoph Bode, Tobias Wengenmayer, Dawid L. Staudacher
2020 ASAIO journal (1992)  
The novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is infecting hundreds of thousands of humans around the globe. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is known to generate mild as well as critical courses. Complications on the intensive care units include acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute cardiac, and kidney injury as well as shock. Here, we present the first case report of a successful treatment of a COVID-19 patient presenting with adult respiratory distress
more » ... rome plus refractory combined cardiogenic and vasoplegic shock, which could be successfully stabilized after implantation of a percutaneous ventricular assist device plus an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Although such intense treatment might not be feasible in case of a health care disaster as described for the hot spots of the COVID-19 pandemic, it might encourage treatment of younger patients on intensive care units not overcrowded by critically ill patients.
doi:10.1097/mat.0000000000001178 pmid:32472827 pmcid:PMC7217127 fatcat:e44akf5bhndpxodufz5stowvym