Post-discharge health-related quality of life, disability, and risk of post-traumatic stress disorder amongst the survivors of the veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation during the COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with severe pneumonia sometimes required a type of life-support
machine for their lungs called ECMO. Using large intra-venous lines, ECMO removes blood from a patient, adds
oxygen to the blood, and puts it back into the body. While it can be life-saving, some patients can develop a
brain injury while on ECMO. However, the long-term effects on the brain of being on an ECMO machine are not
known. Some patients may experience difficulties with high-level thinking, or emotional difficulties like
depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. The purpose of this study is to examine cognitive and emotional
function of patients who have survived ECMO. We will contact patients after they have been discharged home
and ask them to complete tests of cognitive and emotional function. We can then use this information to see
which patients may be at risk of developing these issues, so we can better support them in the future.

Faculty Supervisor:

Donald Griesdale

Student:

Partner:

Legacy for Airway Health

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: