Liberation from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a patient with severe COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome using traditional Chinese medicine: A case report

• Published in: Explore (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2024-11, Vol.20 (6), p.103038, Article 103038
• Main Authors: Tang, Hsuan-Ting, Huang, Sheng-Teng, Ou, Shi-Chen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Case report; Complementary and alternative medicine; Covid-19; COVID-19 - complications; COVID-19 - therapy; Drugs, Chinese Herbal - therapeutic use; Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation - methods; Humans; Male; Medicine, Chinese Traditional - methods; Middle Aged; Respiratory distress syndrome; Respiratory Distress Syndrome - etiology; Respiratory Distress Syndrome - therapy; SARS-CoV-2; Traditional Chinese medicine
• ISSN: 1550-8307; 1878-7541; 1878-7541
• DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2024.103038

•Integrating traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with Western medicine resulted in successful ECMO weaning in a severe COVID-19-associated ARDS patient.•TCM combined with Western treatments demonstrated significant improvements in oxygenation and ventilation, reducing reliance on ECMO support.•The therapeutic effects of TCM included antiviral, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory actions, enhancing overall patient prognosis.•This case highlights the potential of TCM as an adjunctive therapy in severe COVID-19 cases, particularly amidst the landscape of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants. Due to the continued threat to public health posed by SARS-CoV-2 and the ongoing emergence of novel variants, the integration of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with Western medicine provides a novel alternative management for critically ill patients. This case report describes a 54-year-old male with severe COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. Despite standard treatment, ECMO liberation was unsuccessful, and complications such as pneumothorax and hemothorax ensued. However, upon initiating combined TCM therapy on the 19th day of ECMO support, the patient exhibited gradual improvements in oxygenation and ventilation, leading to successful ECMO liberation on the 31st day. This case underscores the potential of integrating TCM with conventional therapies for severe COVID-19 cases, offering a valuable treatment option amidst the evolving landscape of SARS-CoV-2 variants.