[Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in COVID-19]

The role of the use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is under discussion. Whereas in patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) the ECMO is a usual rescue measure used to optimize the oxygenation as a bridge to pulmonary rehabilitation, in patients that have refractory hypoxemic respiratory failure with recovery potential, the use of ECMO could also be beneficial.

The purpose of this work is to report the first case of COVID-19 that required ECMO in Argentina, with a good response.

We describe the first case of COVID-19 that required ECMO in Argentina, in a patient without comorbidities, with good clinical results.

The use of ECMO in the reported case provided a substantial benefit in oxygenation, acting as a bridge to lung recovery, without presenting complications associated with its application.

In critically ill patients with refractory hypoxemia, but with high recovery potential, ECMO support can be considered as a rescue measure.