Hemoadsorption for management of patients on veno‐venous ECMO support for severe COVID‐19 acute respiratory distress syndrome

Geraci, Travis C.; Kon, Zachary N.; Moazami, Nader; Chang, Stephanie H.; Carillo, Julius; Chen, Stacey; Fargnoli, Anthony; Alimi, Marjan; Pass, Harvey; Galloway, Aubrey; Smith, Deane E.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) develop a profound cytokine‐mediated pro‐inflammatory response. This study reports outcomes in 10 patients with COVID‐19 supported on veno‐venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV‐ECMO) who were selected for the emergency use of a hemoadsorption column integrated in the ECMO circuit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pre and posttreatment, clinical data, and inflammatory markers were assessed to determine the safety and feasibility of using this system and to evaluate the clinical effect. RESULTS: During hemoadsorption, median levels of interleukin (IL)−2R, IL‐6, and IL‐10 decreased by 54%, 86%, and 64%, respectively. Reductions in other markers were observed for lactate dehydrogenase (−49%), ferritin (−46%), d‐dimer (−7%), C‐reactive protein (−55%), procalcitonin (−76%), and lactate (−44%). Vasoactive‐inotrope scores decreased significantly over the treatment interval (−80%). The median hospital length of stay was 53 days (36–85) and at 90‐days post cannulation, survival was 90% which was similar to a group of patients without the use of hemoadsorption. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of hemoadsorption to VV‐ECMO in patients with severe COVID‐19 is feasible and reduces measured cytokine levels. However, in this small series, the precise impact on the overall clinical course and survival benefit still remains unknown.