COVID-19, ECMO, and lymphopenia: a word of caution

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ABSTRACT

Lymphocyte count has been associated with increased severity of COVID-19 disease. It has been reported that patients who died of COVID-19 had significantly lower lymphocytes than survivors. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the possible immunological effects involved in the initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (OMEC). During ECMO it is common for substantial decreases in the number and function of some populations of lymphocytes to occur. As expected, lymphocyte replacement could be key to recovery from COVID-19.

The lymphocyte count should be closely monitored in these patients receiving ECMO.