Thromboembolism and bleeding contribute to Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)’s morbidity and mortality and are also frequent complications of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vvECMO). As the interaction of the underlying pathologies caused by vvECMO in COVID-19 is barely understood, we designed this study to better differentiate coagulation disorders in COVID-19 patients before, during and after vvECMO-support.

Observational case series, six consecutive patients with Coronavirus acute respiratory distress syndrome supported with vvECMO treated in the anaesthesiologic ICU in a third level University ECMO-centre. We measured routine coagulation parameters and assessed coagulation factors. We also conducted advanced von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimer analysis, platelet aggregometry and immunological screening.

We identified various phases of coagulation disorders: Initially, intensely activated coagulation with highly increased VWF and factor VIII activity in acute COVID-19, then severe acquired von Willebrand syndrome and platelet dysfunction during vvECMO leading to spontaneous bleeding and finally, hypercoagulopathy after vvECMO explantation. Five of six patients developed immunological abnormalities enhancing coagulation.

Coronavirus-induced coagulopathy and bleeding disorders during vvECMO cannot be discriminated via ‘routine’ coagulation tests. Precise and specific analyses followed by the appropriate treatment of coagulation disorders may help us develop tailored therapeutic concepts to better manage the phases described above.