Hemorrhage and thrombosis in COVID-19-patients supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: an international study based on the COVID-19 critical care consortium

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a rescue therapy in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to COVID-19. While bleeding and thrombosis complicate ECMO, these events may also occur secondary to COVID-19. Data regarding bleeding and thrombotic events in COVID-19 patients on ECMO are sparse. Using the COVID-19 Critical Care Consortium database, we conducted a retrospective analysis on adult patients with severe COVID-19 requiring ECMO, including centers globally from 01/2020 to 06/2022, to determine the risk of ICU mortality associated with the occurrence of bleeding and clotting disorders. Among 1,248 COVID-19 patients receiving ECMO support in the registry, coagulation complications were reported in 469 cases (38 https://covid19.cochrane.org/studies/crs-13513201 ).