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Successful use of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for acute chest syndrome in a child with sickle cell disease and SARS-CoV-2
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  • Wonshill Koh,
  • Punam Malik,
  • Jason Whitehead,
  • David Morales,
  • Don Hayes
Wonshill Koh
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Punam Malik
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
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Jason Whitehead
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
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David Morales
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
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Don Hayes
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
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Abstract

Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at increased risk for severe illness due to severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We describe the successful native lung recovery of a child with SCD referred for lung transplant (LTx) evaluation who was on prolonged veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO). He initially presented with acute chest syndrome complicated by SARS-CoV-2 infection that ultimately required dual-lumen, single bicaval VV-ECMO cannulation for respiratory support. Despite increased risk of hemolysis and thrombosis from SCD and SARS-CoV-2 infection, he was successfully supported on VV-ECMO for 71 days without complications leading to native lung recovery with meticulous management of his SCD therapy. This report provides new insight on our approach to VV-ECMO support in a child with SCD and SARS-CoV-2 infection. With a successful outcome, the patient has returned home but still on mechanical ventilation with LTx still an option if he is not eventually liberated from invasive respiratory support.