Multiple Surgical Treatments for Recurrent Retroperitoneal Hemorrhage in a COVID-19 Patient with Respiratory Failure on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Abstract

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may be required in patients with corona virus disease-19 (COVID-19) and respiratory failure. Anticoagulation is the standard treatment to prevent complications of ECMO and COVID-19 coagulopathy, however, there is a risk of bleeding. Some patients with retroperitoneal hemorrhage (RPH) have been treated with angiography-embolization. We report on a patient with COVID-19 on ECMO who underwent multiple operations (×5) for recurrent RPH. A 46-year-old man was admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia. ECMO with anticoagulation therapy was initiated. The patient developed RPH, caused by external compression of the inferior vena cava interrupting the ECMO inflow, and surgical hematoma evacuation was performed, with no obvious bleeding focus during the multiple surgeries. Following the patient’s recovery, a follow-up computed tomography scan showed the hematoma had been resolved, but there was a dilemma regarding anticoagulation. Lowering the threshold for surgical treatment, enabled treatment of a patient with serious RPH.