Neurological Monitoring and Management for Adult Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Patients: Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Consensus Guidelines

BACKGROUND

Critical care of patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) with acute brain injury (ABI) is notable for a lack of high-quality clinical evidence. Here, we offer guidelines for neurological care (neurological monitoring and management) of adults during and after ECMO support.

METHODS

These guidelines are based on clinical practice consensus recommendations and scientific statements. We convened an international multidisciplinary consensus panel including 30 clinician-scientists with expertise in ECMO from all chapters of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO). We used a modified Delphi process with three rounds of voting and asked panelists to assess the recommendation levels.

RESULTS

We identified five key clinical areas needing guidance: (1) neurological monitoring, (2) post-cannulation early physiological targets and ABI, (3) neurological therapy including medical and surgical intervention, (4) neurological prognostication, and (5) neurological follow-up and outcomes. The consensus produced 30 statements and recommendations regarding key clinical areas. We identified several knowledge gaps to shape future research efforts.

CONCLUSIONS

The impact of ABI on morbidity and mortality in ECMO patients is significant. Particularly, early detection and timely intervention are crucial for improving outcomes. These consensus recommendations and scientific statements serve to guide the neurological monitoring and prevention of ABI, and management strategy of ECMO-associated ABI.

Neurological monitoring and management for adult extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients: Extracorporeal Life Support Organization consensus guidelines

BACKGROUND

Critical care of patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) with acute brain injury (ABI) is notable for a lack of high-quality clinical evidence. Here, we offer guidelines for neurological care (neurological monitoring and management) of adults during and after ECMO support.

METHODS

These guidelines are based on clinical practice consensus recommendations and scientific statements. We convened an international multidisciplinary consensus panel including 30 clinician-scientists with expertise in ECMO from all chapters of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO). We used a modified Delphi process with three rounds of voting and asked panelists to assess the recommendation levels.

RESULTS

We identified five key clinical areas needing guidance: (1) neurological monitoring, (2) post-cannulation early physiological targets and ABI, (3) neurological therapy including medical and surgical intervention, (4) neurological prognostication, and (5) neurological follow-up and outcomes. The consensus produced 30 statements and recommendations regarding key clinical areas. We identified several knowledge gaps to shape future research efforts.

CONCLUSIONS

The impact of ABI on morbidity and mortality in ECMO patients is significant. Particularly, early detection and timely intervention are crucial for improving outcomes. These consensus recommendations and scientific statements serve to guide the neurological monitoring and prevention of ABI, and management strategy of ECMO-associated ABI.

Fixed, Dilated, and Cannulated - Medical Management of Elevated Intracranial Pressures due to a Large Intracranial Hemorrhage in a Patient on Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Case Report

A 40-year-old woman presented with mediastinitis, necrotizing pancreatitis, and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome with refractory acidemia (pH 7.14) and hypercapnia (PaCO2 115 mmHg), requiring veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Eight hours after cannulation, and rapid correction of PaCO2 to 44 mmHg, she was found to have bilaterally fixed and dilated pupils. Imaging showed a 60 mL left-sided temporoparietal intracranial hemorrhage with surrounding edema, 8 mm midline shift, intraventricular hemorrhage, and impending herniation. Decompressive hemicraniectomy was not offered due to concern for medical instability. After receiving a dose of mannitol, her pupillary and motor exam improved. An intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor was placed to guide hyperosmolar therapy administration, hemodynamic targets, and sweep gas titration. On hospital day (HD) 5, her ICP monitor was removed. Follow-up imaging revealed resolution of mass effect and no brainstem injury. She was subsequently extubated (HD 9) and discharged home (HD 40). One year after hospitalization, she is living at home with minimal residual deficits. This case highlights the utility of targeted, medical ICP management and importance of assessing response to conservative therapies when considering prognosis in patients on ECMO with severe acute brain injury.

Acute Respiratory Failure in Severe Acute Brain Injury

Acute respiratory failure is commonly encountered in severe acute brain injury due to a multitude of factors related to the sequelae of the primary injury. The interaction between pulmonary and neurologic systems in this population is complex, often with competing priorities. Many treatment modalities for acute respiratory failure can result in deleterious effects on cerebral physiology, and secondary brain injury due to elevations in intracranial pressure or impaired cerebral perfusion. High-quality literature is lacking to guide clinical decision-making in this population, and deliberate considerations of individual patient factors must be considered to optimize each patient's care.

Relationship between the Pre-ECMO and ECMO Time and Survival of Severe COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the etiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used to support gas exchange in patients who have failed conventional mechanical ventilation. However, there is no clear consensus on the timing of ECMO use in severe COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to compare the differences in pre-ECMO time and ECMO duration between COVID-19 survivors and non-survivors and to explore the association between them.

METHODS

PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and other sources were searched until 21 October 2022. Studies reporting the relationship between ECMO-related time and COVID-19 survival were included. All available data were pooled using random-effects methods. Linear regression analysis was used to determine the correlation between pre-ECMO time and ECMO duration. The meta-analysis was registered with PROSPERO under registration number CRD42023403236.

RESULTS

Out of the initial 2473 citations, we analyzed 318 full-text articles, and 54 studies were included, involving 13,691 patients. There were significant differences between survivors and non-survivors in the time from COVID-19 diagnosis (standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI): [-0.53, -0.29], p < 0.00001), hospital (SMD = -0.53, 95% CI: [-0.97, -0.09], p = 0.02) and intensive care unit (ICU) admission (SMD = -0.28, 95% CI: [-0.49, -0.08], p = 0.007), intubation or mechanical ventilation to ECMO (SMD = -0.21, 95% CI: [-0.32, -0.09], p = 0.0003) and ECMO duration (SMD = -0.18, 95% CI: [-0.30, -0.06], p = 0.003). There was no statistical association between a longer time from symptom onset to ECMO (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.05, 95% CI: [0.99, 1.12], p = 0.11) or time from intubation or mechanical ventilation (MV) and the risk of mortality (highest vs. lowest time groups odds ratio (OR) = 1.18, 95% CI: [0.78, 1.78], p = 0.42; per one-day increase OR = 1.14, 95% CI: [0.86, 1.52], p = 0.36; HR = 0.99, 95% CI: [0.95, 1.02], p = 0.39). There was no linear relationship between pre-ECMO time and ECMO duration.

CONCLUSION

There are differences in pre-ECMO time between COVID-19 survivors and non-survivors, and there is insufficient evidence to conclude that longer pre-ECMO time is responsible for reduced survival in COVID-19 patients. ECMO duration differed between survivors and non-survivors, and the timing of pre-ECMO does not have an impact on ECMO duration. Further studies are needed to explore the association between pre-ECMO and ECMO time in the survival of COVID-19 patients.

Treatment of malignant airway stenosis with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation under low-dose anticoagulation: A case report

The occurrence of airway obstruction due to severe stenosis from lung cancer poses a significant risk of asphyxia. Although the placement of a metallic stent may relieve the obstruction, the procedure is associated with a high risk of asphyxia. To mitigate this risk, extracorporeal membrane pulmonary oxygenation (ECMO) has been proposed to temporarily substitute for cardiopulmonary function during the procedure. However, the use of systemic anticoagulation with heparin during ECMO may increase the likelihood of bleeding during surgery. This case report describes a successful treatment of a patient with malignant central airway obstruction through low-dose heparin veno-venous ECMO. This approach resulted in reduced intraoperative bleeding and invasive operation time, allowing for prompt postoperative withdrawal and recovery.

Current knowledge gaps in extracorporeal respiratory support

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) for acute respiratory failure encompasses veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO) and extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO2R). V-V ECMO is primarily used to treat severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), characterized by life-threatening hypoxemia or ventilatory insufficiency with conventional protective settings. It employs an artificial lung with high blood flows, and allows improvement in gas exchange, correction of hypoxemia, and reduction of the workload on the native lung. On the other hand, ECCO2R focuses on carbon dioxide removal and ventilatory load reduction ("ultra-protective ventilation") in moderate ARDS, or in avoiding pump failure in acute exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Clinical indications for V-V ECLS are tailored to individual patients, as there are no absolute contraindications. However, determining the ideal timing for initiating extracorporeal respiratory support remains uncertain. Current ECLS equipment faces issues like size and durability. Innovations include intravascular lung assist devices (ILADs) and pumpless devices, though they come with their own challenges. Efficient gas exchange relies on modern oxygenators using hollow fiber designs, but research is exploring microfluidic technology to improve oxygenator size, thrombogenicity, and blood flow capacity. Coagulation management during V-V ECLS is crucial due to common bleeding and thrombosis complications; indeed, anticoagulation strategies and monitoring systems require improvement, while surface coatings and new materials show promise. Moreover, pharmacokinetics during ECLS significantly impact antibiotic therapy, necessitating therapeutic drug monitoring for precise dosing. Managing native lung ventilation during V-V ECMO remains complex, requiring a careful balance between benefits and potential risks for spontaneously breathing patients. Moreover, weaning from V-V ECMO is recognized as an area of relevant uncertainty, requiring further research. In the last decade, the concept of Extracorporeal Organ Support (ECOS) for patients with multiple organ dysfunction has emerged, combining ECLS with other organ support therapies to provide a more holistic approach for critically ill patients. In this review, we aim at providing an in-depth overview of V-V ECMO and ECCO2R, addressing various aspects of their use, challenges, and potential future directions in research and development.

Brain-Lung Crosstalk: Management of Concomitant Severe Acute Brain Injury and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Purpose of Review

To summarize pathophysiology, key conflicts, and therapeutic approaches in managing concomitant severe acute brain injury (SABI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Recent Findings

ARDS is common in SABI and independently associated with worse outcomes in all SABI subtypes. Most landmark ARDS trials excluded patients with SABI, and evidence to guide decisions is limited in this population. Potential areas of conflict in the management of patients with both SABI and ARDS are (1) risk of intracranial pressure (ICP) elevation with high levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), permissive hypercapnia due to lung protective ventilation (LPV), or prone ventilation; (2) balancing a conservative fluid management strategy with ensuring adequate cerebral perfusion, particularly in patients with symptomatic vasospasm or impaired cerebrovascular blood flow; and (3) uncertainty about the benefit and harm of corticosteroids in this population, with a mortality benefit in ARDS, increased mortality shown in TBI, and conflicting data in other SABI subtypes. Also, the widely adapted partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) target of > 55 mmHg for ARDS may exacerbate secondary brain injury, and recent guidelines recommend higher goals of 80-120 mmHg in SABI. Distinct pathophysiology and trajectories among different SABI subtypes need to be considered.

Summary

The management of SABI with ARDS is highly complex, and conventional ARDS management strategies may result in increased ICP and decreased cerebral perfusion. A crucial aspect of concurrent management is to recognize the risk of secondary brain injury in the individual patient, monitor with vigilance, and adjust management during critical time windows. The care of these patients requires meticulous attention to oxygenation and ventilation, hemodynamics, temperature management, and the neurological exam. LPV and prone ventilation should be utilized, and supplemented with invasive ICP monitoring if there is concern for cerebral edema and increased ICP. PEEP titration should be deliberate, involving measures of hemodynamic, pulmonary, and brain physiology. Serial volume status assessments should be performed in SABI and ARDS, and fluid management should be individualized based on measures of brain perfusion, the neurological exam, and cardiopulmonary status. More research is needed to define risks and benefits in corticosteroids in this population.

Bleeding During Veno-Venous ECMO: Prevention and Treatment

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vvECMO) has become a routine treatment for severe lung failure in specialized centers. Spontaneous bleeding complications, however, are observed in 30–60% of patients during vvECMO treatment. Bleeding increases mortality by factors 2–3. Anticoagulation in combination with several acquired bleeding disorders caused by the mechanical pump and the foreign layer of the extracorporeal system contribute to the risk of bleeding. In this review, the mechanisms of the underlying pathologies and the route from diagnosis to treatment are described.

Intraoperative Management of Adult Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: An Expert Consensus Statement From the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists-Part I, Technical Aspects of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used to support patients with refractory cardiopulmonary failure. Given ECMO's increased use in adults and the fact that many ECMO patients are cared for by anesthesiologists, the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists ECMO working group created an expert consensus statement that is intended to help anesthesiologists manage adult ECMO patients who are cared for in the operating room. In the first part of this 2-part series, technical aspects of ECMO are discussed, and related expert consensus statements are provided.

Intraoperative Management of Adult Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: an Expert Consensus Statement From the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists-Part I, Technical Aspects of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used to support patients with refractory cardiopulmonary failure. Given ECMO's increased use in adults and the fact that many ECMO patients are cared for by anesthesiologists, the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists ECMO working group created an expert consensus statement that is intended to help anesthesiologists manage adult ECMO patients who are cared for in the operating room. In the first part of this 2-part series, technical aspects of ECMO are discussed, and related expert consensus statements are provided.

Heparin-Free Lung Transplantation on Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Bridge

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) bridge to lung transplantation (LuTX) exposes the patients to a high risk of perioperative bleeding secondary to systemic anticoagulation and coagulation factors deficiency. With this case series, we propose innovative "no-heparin" management of ECMO-bridge support during LuTX, based upon 1) control heparin resistance with antithrombin III in the preoperative period; 2) relying upon a fully functional, brand new heparinized ECMO circuit; 3) completely avoiding perioperative heparin; 4) hampering fibrinolysis with tranexamic acid; and 5) limiting venoarterial (VA) ECMO escalation, and the following need for full anticoagulation. Following the application of this new approach, we carried out three challenging clinical cases of bilateral ECMO-bridged LuTX effectively, with limited intraoperative blood requirement and no major postoperative bleeding or thromboembolic events. Of note, two of them had an extremely high risk for hemorrhage due to complete right lung anatomic derangement in case number 2 and surgical adhesion following first LuTX in case number 3, while for the case number 1, no blood products were administered during surgery. Despite the limited patient population, such an approach relies on a strong rationale and may be beneficial for managing ECMO bridging to LuTX. Prospective studies are necessary to confirm the validity of our strategy.

Multidisciplinary approach to a septic COVID-19 patient undergoing veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and receiving thoracic surgery

A multidisciplinary approach appears to be fundamental for the treatment of critically ill patients with COVID-19, improving clinical outcomes, even in the most severe cases. Such severe cases are advisable to be collegially discussed between intensivists, surgeons, infectious disease, and other physicians potentially involved.

Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Postcardiotomy Shock-Analysis of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry

OBJECTIVES

Refractory postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock complicating cardiac surgery yields nearly 100% mortality when untreated. Use of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock has increased worldwide recently. The aim of the current analysis was to outline the trends in use, changing patient profiles, and in-hospital outcomes including complications in patients undergoing venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock.

DESIGN

Analysis of extracorporeal life support organization registry from January 2010 to December 2018.

SETTING

Multicenter worldwide registry.

PATIENTS

Seven-thousand one-hundred eighty-five patients supported with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock.

INTERVENTIONS

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Hospital death, weaning from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, hospital complications. Mortality predictors were assessed by multivariable logistic regression. Propensity score matching was performed for comparison of peripheral and central cannulation for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. A significant trend toward more extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use in recent years (coefficient, 0.009; p < 0.001) was found. Mean age was 56.3 ± 14.9 years and significantly increased over time (coefficient, 0.513; p < 0.001). Most commonly, venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was instituted after coronary artery bypass surgery (26.8%) and valvular surgery (25.6%), followed by heart transplantation (20.7%). Overall, successful extracorporeal membrane oxygenation weaning was possible in 4,520 cases (56.4%), and survival to hospital discharge was achieved in 41.7% of cases. In-hospital mortality rates remained constant over time (coefficient, -8.775; p = 0.682), whereas complication rates were significantly reduced (coefficient, -0.009; p = 0.003). Higher mortality was observed after coronary artery bypass surgery (65.4%), combined coronary artery bypass surgery with valve (68.4%), and aortic (69.6%) procedures than other indications. Lower mortality rates were observed in heart transplantation recipients (46.0%). Age (p < 0.001), central cannulation (p < 0.001), and occurrence of complications while on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were independently associated with poorer prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The analysis confirmed increased use of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock. Mortality rates remained relatively constant over time despite a decrease in complications, in the setting of supporting older patients.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients with severe COVID-19 adult respiratory distress syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

COVID 19 is the most recent cause of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can support gas exchange in patients failing conventional mechanical ventilation, but its role is still controversial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on ECMO for COVID-associated ARDS to study its outcome.

Main body

CENTRAL, MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus were systematically searched from inception to May 28, 2020. Studies reporting five or more patients with COVID-19 infection treated venovenous with ECMO were included. The main outcome assessed was mortality and ICU/hospital discharge. Baseline, procedural, outcome, and validity data were systematically appraised and pooled with random-effect methods. The validity of all the included observational studies was appraised with the Newcastle Ottawa scale. Meta-regression and publication bias were tested. This trial was registered with PROSPERO under registration number CRD42020183861.From 1647 initial citations, 34 full-text articles were analyzed and 12 studies were selected, including 194 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection requiring ICU admission and venovenous ECMO treatment. Median Newcastle-Ottawa scale was 6 indicating acceptable study validity. One hundred thirty-six patients reached an endpoint of weaning from ECMO with ICU/hospital discharge or death while the rest were still on ECMO or in the ICU. The median Berlin score for ARDS prior to starting ECMO was III. Patients received mechanical ventilation before ECMO implementation for a median of 4 days and ECMO was maintained for a median of 13 days. In hospital and short-term mortality were highly variable among the included studies ranging between 0 and 100%. Random-effect pooled estimates suggested an overall in-hospital mortality risk ratio of 0.49 (95% confidence interval 0.259 to 0.721; I2 = 94%). Subgroup analysis according to country of origin showed persistent heterogeneity only in the 7 Chinese studies with pooled estimate mortality risk ratio of 0.66 (I2 = 87%) (95% CI = 0.39-0.93), while the later larger studies coming from the USA showed pooled estimate mortality risk ratio of 0.41 (95% CI 0.28-0.53) with homogeneity (p=0.67) similar to France with a pooled mortality risk ratio of 0.26 (95% CI 0.08-0.43) with homogeneity (p=0.86). Meta-regression showed only younger age as a predictor of mortality (p=0.02). Publication bias was excluded by visualizing the funnel plot of standard error, Egger's test with p=0.566, and Begg and Mazumdar test with p=0.373.

Conclusion

The study included the largest number of patients with outcome findings of ECMO in this current pandemic. Our findings showed that the use of venovenous ECMO at high-volume ECMO centers may be beneficial for selected COVID 19 patients with severe ARDS. However, none of the included studies involve prospective randomized analyses; and therefore, all the included studies were of low or moderate quality according to the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. In the current era and environment of the pandemic, it will likely be very challenging to conduct a prospective randomized trial of ECMO versus no-ECMO for COVID-19. Therefore, the information contained in this systematic review of the literature is valuable and provides important guidance.

Trial registration

The study protocol link is at www.crd.yorl.ac.uk/PROSPERO under registration number CRD42020183861.

Continuous renal replacement therapy in patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life‐saving therapy utilized for patients with severe life‐threatening cardiorespiratory failure. Patients treated with ECMO are among the most severely ill encountered in critical care and are at high‐risk of developing multiple organ dysfunction, including acute kidney injury (AKI) and fluid overload. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is increasingly utilized inpatients on ECMO to manage AKI and treat fluid overload. The indications for renal replacement therapy for patients on ECMO are similar to those of other critically ill populations; however, there is wide practice variation in how renal supportive therapies are utilized during ECMO. For patients requiring both CRRT and ECMO, CRRT may be connected directly to the ECMO circuit, or CRRT and ECMO may be performed independently. This review will summarize current knowledge of the epidemiology of AKI, indications and timing of CRRT, delivery of CRRT, and the outcomes of patients requiring CRRT with ECMO.

Real-time, non-invasive thrombus detection in an extracorporeal circuit using micro-optical thrombus sensors

Introduction:

Real-time, non-invasive monitoring of thrombus formation in extracorporeal circuits has yet to be achieved. To address the challenges of conventional optical thrombus detection methods requiring large devices that limit detection capacity, we developed a micro-optical thrombus sensor.

Methods:

The proposed micro-optical thrombus sensor can detect the intensity of light scattered by blood at wavelengths of 660 and 855 nm. Two thrombus sensors were installed on in vitro circuit: one at the rotary blood pump and one at a flow channel. To evaluate the variation in the ratio of incident light intensity at each wavelength of the two sensors, R_fluct (for 660 nm) and I_fluct (for 855 nm) were defined. Using fresh porcine blood as a working fluid, we performed in vitro tests of haematocrit (Hct) and oxygen saturation (SaO₂) variation and thrombus detection. Thrombus tests were terminated after R_fluct or I_fluct showed a larger change than the maximum range of those in the Hct and SaO₂ variation test.

Results:

In all three thrombus detection tests, I_fluct showed a larger change than the maximum range of those in the Hct and SaO₂ variation test. After the tests, thrombus formation was confirmed in the pump, and there was no thrombus in the flow channel. The results indicate that I_fluct is an effective parameter for identifying the presence of a thrombus.

Conclusion:

Thrombus detection in an extracorporeal circuit using the developed micro-optical sensors was successfully demonstrated in an in vitro test.

COVID-19 and ECMO: the interplay between coagulation and inflammation-a narrative review

Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has presently become a rapidly spreading and devastating global pandemic. Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO) may serve as life-saving rescue therapy for refractory respiratory failure in the setting of acute respiratory compromise such as that induced by SARS-CoV-2. While still little is known on the true efficacy of ECMO in this setting, the natural resemblance of seasonal influenza's characteristics with respect to acute onset, initial symptoms, and some complications prompt to ECMO implantation in most severe, pulmonary decompensated patients. The present review summarizes the evidence on ECMO management of severe ARDS in light of recent COVID-19 pandemic, at the same time focusing on differences and similarities between SARS-CoV-2 and ECMO in terms of hematological and inflammatory interplay when these two settings merge.