Emergency lower gastrointestinal endoscopy performed safely in a COVID-19 patient on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) with hemorrhagic shock

Abstract

Emergency endoscopy in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients should be avoided whenever possible to ensure the safety of medical staff; however, it may be unavoidable in some cases. We report a case of emergency lower gastrointestinal endoscopy performed with full personal protective equipment in a patient on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with severe COVID-19 pneumonia admitted in a restricted area under negative pressure in the intensive care unit. To avoid the risk of fecal–oral transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the procedure, the patient’s lower body was covered with a 2 m2 vinyl sheet with an aperture (diameter, approximately 2 cm). None of the medical staff involved exhibited any signs of SARS-CoV-2 infection after the procedure. Although patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation have a high risk of bleeding, we believe that emergency lower endoscopy can be safely performed in such patients by reducing exposure to dispersed feces and using full personal protective equipment.