Reply to: RV dysfunction in Covid-19 ARDS: Is there a difference in the impact of mechanical ventilation and ECMO?

We reported the pattern and degree of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in 90 consecutive mechanically ventilated patients (42.2% VV-ECMO) with severe COVID-19 infection [1]. The authors raise the important issue of whether use of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) could impact RV function differently to conventional invasive ventilation. During VV ECMO, ‘rest’ ventilator settings minimise energy delivery to the lungs by reducing volumes but maintaining positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP).

Source: International Journal of Cardiology - February 21, 2021 Category: Cardiology Authors: Caroline Bleakley, Suveer Singh, Antonio de Marvao, Marco Morosin, Emmanouil Androulakis, Antonio Cannata, Susanna Price Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research