Introduction of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation on Ninth Day of Ventilator Management for Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome due to COVID-19: A Case Report

The reported case is of a 68-year-old man who was admitted to the ICU at our tertiary care medical center with severe COVID-19. He was admitted to the ICU due to a worsening respiratory condition during his hospitalization at the same medical center, which included the development of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Ventilator management was started with alveolar protection in mind. On the ninth day of ventilator management, we judged that it was necessary to introduce extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Although the ninth day of ventilator management is considered relatively late for starting ECMO, there are no absolute contraindications for ECMO at this stage, and improvements in oxygenation can be expected. After introducing ECMO, the patient’s oxygenation capacity improved, and ECMO was successfully withdrawn within 16 days. The patient required long-term rehabilitation but was discharged from the hospital to his home without lingering disease complications on the 150th day of illness and subsequently resumed his former work, daily activities, and quality of life. We conclude that, in regard to the introduction of ECMO for ARDS, it is necessary to reach a comprehensive judgment without being bound by any one index (such as the ventilation management period prior to ECMO introduction).