Functional Status and Quality of Life 6 Months After Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Therapy for COVID-19-Related Pulmonary Failure

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is increasingly used in COVID-19-related pulmonary failure and the number of patients recovering from COVID-19 is growing. Here, we assess survival and recovery 6 months after ECMO for COVID-19. From April 2020 to September 2021, n = 60 (60.5 [51.0-65.0] years, 23.3% female) were treated with venovenous/venoarterial ECMO for COVID-19. 41.7% were weaned off ECMO, survival-to-discharge was 40.0% (n = 24). Age (63.0 [60.0-66.8] vs. 55.0 [43.8-60.0] years, p < 0.001), vasoactive support (97.2% vs. 75.0%, p = 0.013), and pre-ECMO SOFA scores (13.0 [12.0-14.8] vs. 12.0 [10.0-13.8] p = 0.036) correlated with nonsurvival. All patients aged >65 years, with histories of neoplasia, immunocompromise, chronic renal failure, or frailty died. After 6 months, 20 were alive (6-month survival 33.3%, survival conditioned on survival-to-discharge 83.3%), with follow-up in 19. 57.9% showed no relevant, 26.3% moderate, 15.8% severe deficits. Cardiopulmonary status was satisfactory (mMRC level: 84.2% <= 2). 73.7% were independent in daily life. Cognitive impairments were frequent (52.6%). 26.3% showed moderate depression, 15.8% posttraumatic stress disorder. Social and work life were considerably affected. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation thus can serve as salvage therapy in COVID-19, but advanced age, immunocompromise, histories of neoplasia, and frailty must be considered as relative contraindications. Age, vasoactive support, and SOFA scores assist discriminating in daily practice. Deficits after 6 months are substantial, and efforts need to focus on long-term recovery.