Pregnancy has been shown to be associated with an adverse clinical course and symptomatic patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is rarely used in pregnant or postpartum women with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here, we report the rare case of a pregnant woman diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection placed on ECMO postpartum who subsequently received treatment for active rectal ulcer bleeding. Despite being placed on ECMO for 38 days and receiving a massive transfusion of 95 packs of red blood cells, she recovered and was discharged on hospital day 112. ECMO can be used in most patients with severe COVID-19, including pregnant patients, although potential coagulopathy complications must be considered.
Keywords: COVID-19; Pregnancy; extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; respiratory distress syndrome.
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