Sevoflurane administration from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation via the AnaConDa device for a patient with COVID-19: A breakthrough solution for the shortage of intravenous anesthetics

One of the major issues encountered during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been the shortage of intravenous anesthetics. Moreover, patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) need large quantities of intravenous anesthetics for sedation. We report the case of a 52-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital due to acute respiratory distress syndrome by COVID-19 and treated with ECMO. As controlling sedation with intravenous anesthetics was challenging, we attempted to administer inhaled anesthetics via the gas flow of ECMO. We decreased the quantity of intravenous anesthetics and opioids. This method might help overcome the shortage of intravenous anesthetics. (C) 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

One major issue during the COVID-19 pandemic is the shortage of intravenous anesthetics. This case report describes a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by COVID-19 who was treated with ECMO. Due to difficulties in controlling sedation with intravenous anesthetics, inhaled anesthetics were administered via the gas flow of ECMO. This method could help overcome the shortage of intravenous anesthetics.