Page 24 - ANZCP Gazette November 2021

After 42 days on VV-ECMO, the patient was decannulated uneventfully. A surgical tracheostomy was performed after four days of ECMO decannulation; to facilitate ongoing pulmonary rehabilitation. She was then successfully weaned off the ventilator.
By day 60 post-admission, and eight days post ECMO decannulation, she was alert, obeying commands and actively participating in her rehabilitation.
On days 61–108 post admission, her tracheostomy was decannulated one month post ventilator support, and she was discharged from ICU on day 81 of her admission with ongoing medical and allied health reviews.
She was discharged from the hospital on day 108 and returned in gratitude in December 2020, looking well.
Recently (Sept 2021) we have seen an increase in ECMO cases: our ICU consist of 44 beds which are currently all occupied
with 34 COVID positive patients, 11 are ventilated and 2 are supported by VV ECMO.
One current case is a 105 Kg, 49 year-old male, who was referred for ECMO after six days in ICU for persistent severe hypoxia secondary to COVID pneumonitis. Currently 24 days on VV ECMO support, he requires higher than usual sweep rates of 8–10 L/min, at pump flows of 4–5 L/min to achieve a SpO2 above 90%.
Another patient is a 58 year-old male, weighing 86 Kg, who was referred to ECMO on the day of arrival due to respiratory arrest and profound hypoxia secondary to COVID pneumonitis. He has been supported for three days and is responding well.
On the afternoon of the ANZCP Webinar on COVID 19 and ECMO [9th September], we were advised of a 180 Kg, 40 year- old male, with persistent profound hypoxaemia being placed on high flow VV ECMO – as proning presented difficulties.
21 NOVEMBER 2021 | www.anzcp.org