severe COVID-19 can result in exceptional early survival, and these patients who leave the hospital without the need for oxygen therapy are very likely to remain alive and well 1 year later," said Deane E Smith, MD, from NYU Langone Health in New York City, New York. Also read: Local Omicron outbreak in China caused by 'internationally mailed letter': Study The researchers led by Dr Smith identified 415 confirmed Covid patients admitted to the ICU (intensive care unit) at NYU Langone Health from March 10-May 1, 2020.
Of them, 30 (7.2 per cent) received venovenous (VV) ECMO. The machine is advanced life support equipment, which can take care of damaged lungs.
Of 415 patients, 323 were intubated for mechanical ventilatory support, which as per Dr Smith, may damage the lungs instead of recovering them.
The researchers found VV-ECMO may also result in decreased support from ventilators, reducing the damage to lungs and healing them.