Introduction
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains a major threat to the global
population since it was first reported in Wuhan, China. Recent
epidemiological studies have shown poor prognosis in patients with
COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome
(ARDS).1-3 In fact, the mortality rate of COVID-19
patients with mechanical ventilation is reported to be approximately
40%–60%.3-5 For the effective management of
critically ill COVID-19 patients, the appropriate treatment of
respiratory failure is crucial.6 Moreover, if the
oxygenation worsens despite mechanical ventilation, extracorporeal
membrane oxygenation (ECMO) should be considered, as recommended in some
guidelines.7,8
Rhesus (Rh) factor is an inherited protein found on the surface of the
red blood cells in the body. Since their discovery in the 1940s, it has
been considered as a certain type of blood type.9 In
Asian countries, < 1% of the population has an Rh-negative
blood type;10 therefore, the medical services
available for these individuals could be partially limited, e.g., during
transfusion and pregnancy.11,12 In particular, ECMO is
unreasonable in rare blood type patients because it requires a large
number of blood products with the same blood type. Thus, if rare blood
type patients develop ARDS due to COVID-19, it is crucial to prioritize
lung protection. Here we report the case of an Rh-negative patient with
COVID-19-related ARDS who was successfully treated.