ECMO in COVID-19-prolonged therapy needed? A retrospective analysis of outcome and prognostic factors.

Background: The role of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) in patients with COVID-19-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) still remains unclear. Our aim was to investigate the clinical course and outcome of those patients and to identify factors associated with the need for prolonged ECMO therapy.

Methods: A retrospective single-center study on patients with VV ECMO for COVID-19-associated ARDS was performed.