scholarly journals Early Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in COVID-19 with Bullous Lung Disease on Mechanical Ventilation: A Case Report

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-428
Author(s):  
Jason Unold ◽  
Brandon Marshal ◽  
Tolupe Sonuyi

Introduction: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been well described as a viable option for patients in need of temporary supplemental oxygenation when ventilator capabilities have failed to augment a patient’s condition. Less described is the potential use of ECMO for lung protection in the setting of gigantic bullae despite initially adequate oxygenation. Case Report: We describe how the early incorporation of ECMO in a patient with coronavirus disease 2019 and necrotizing pneumonia complicated by multiple large and gigantic bullae led to a favorable outcome. Conclusion: The decision to start ECMO early, despite room for ventilator oxygenation adjustments, may have helped to prevent potential, significant complications such as tension pneumothorax while on positive pressure, thus potentially optimizing the outcome in this patient.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Jumpei Takamatsu ◽  
Jinkoo Kang ◽  
Aya Fukuhara ◽  
Yuichi Yasue ◽  
Sae Kawata

Controlling air leaks during thoracic drainage in patients with lung abscesses caused by bronchopleural fistulas is challenging. To reduce the occurrence of air leaks, positive pressure ventilation should be avoided whenever possible. A 69-year-old man presented with a 10-day history of gradually worsening chest pain. He had lost consciousness and was brought to the emergency room. His SpO2 was approximately 70%, and his systolic blood pressure was approximately 60 mmHg. Chest radiography and computed tomography revealed findings suggestive of a right pyothorax. Therefore, thoracic drainage was performed. However, the patient’s respiratory status did not improve, and his circulatory status could not be maintained. Therefore, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was introduced after the improvement in circulation by noradrenaline and fluid resuscitation, resulting in adequate oxygenation and ventilation without the use of high-pressure ventilator settings. Subsequently, omentoplasty for a refractory bronchopleural fistula was successfully performed, and the air leak was cured without recurrence of the lung abscess.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 746-751
Author(s):  
Tao Wang ◽  
Qiancheng Xu ◽  
Xiaogan Jiang

Abstract A 29-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with the acute onset of palpitations, shortness of breath, and haemoptysis. She reported having an abortion (56 days of pregnancy) 1 week before admission because of hyperthyroidism diagnosis during pregnancy. The first diagnoses considered were cardiomyopathy associated with hyperthyroidism, acute left ventricular failure, and hyperthyroidism crisis. The young woman’s cardiocirculatory system collapsed within several hours. Hence, venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) was performed for this patient. Over the next 3 days after ECMO was established, repeat transthoracic echocardiography showed gradual improvements in biventricular function, and later the patient recovered almost completely. The patient’s blood pressure increased to 230/130 mm Hg when the ECMO catheter was removed, and then the diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma was suspected. Computed tomography showed a left suprarenal tumour. The tumour size was 5.8 cm × 5.7 cm with central necrosis. The vanillylmandelic acid concentration was 63.15 mg/24 h. Post-operation, pathology confirmed phaeochromocytoma. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a patient with cardiogenic shock induced by phaeochromocytoma crisis mimicking hyperthyroidism which was successfully resuscitated by VA ECMO.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-88
Author(s):  
Thomas-Michael Schneider ◽  
Friederike Klenner ◽  
Franz Brettner

Abstract Background: Newly approved immunotherapeutic agents, like CTLA-4 inhibitors and antibodies against PD-1, are a promising therapeutic option in cancer therapy. Case presentation: A 74-year-old man, with a history of advanced stage melanoma and treatment with ipilimumab, pembrolizumab and nivolumab, was admitted to the hospital due to respiratory failure with hypoxemia and dyspnoea. He rapidly developed severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which required treatment in the intensive care unit which included mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Computed tomographic imaging (CT) showed signs of a pneumonitis, with an ARDS pattern related to the use of PD-1 antibodies. Treating the patient with high-dose immunosuppressive steroids led to an overall improvement. He was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital and subsequently to his home. Discussion and conclusion: This is a unique case report of a patient suffering a grade 4 adverse event under nivolumab who survived having been treated with ECMO. It highlights the possibility of associated adverse reactions as well as the use of ECMO in palliative care patients. ECMO can be of great success even in patients with malignancies, but careful decision making should be done on a case by case basis.


Perfusion ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 597-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Lehoux ◽  
Zachary Hena ◽  
Megan McCabe ◽  
Giles Peek

Aluminium phosphide (AP) is a pesticide used against rodents and insects. Exposure of AP to water releases phosphine gas. Phosphine is a highly toxic mitochondrial poison to which there is no known antidote. We report a case of a 3-year-old female with accidental home exposure to AP, which resulted in cardiac arrest, who was successfully supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).


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