Cytological patterns of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

High neutrophil proportions can be observed in critically ill COVID-19 patients despite the lack of microbiological evidence on BAL of bacterial superinfection. Dexamethasone was associated with lower neutrophil proportions in BAL. Our study was probably underpowered to provide BAL cell pattern helpful to predict weaning from ECMO/ventilator.