Initiation of ECMO in patients with COVID-19- related ARDS does not increase blood markers of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) or IL-8

Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is increasingly used for refractory acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).1 However, ECMO is associated with immune modulation. The interaction of blood and ECMO circuit, pump, and oxygenator may pose a second hit of inflammation in addition to the underlying condition.2 Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are web-like chromatin-based structures coated with histones and proteases that are capable of capturing and killing pathogens, and have been implicated in the pathophysiology of ARDS.
Source: Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research