[Refractory infectious ARDS: place of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation]

Successful management of life-threatening respiratory failure from H1N1 influenza

We report the outcome of a pregnant woman with a life-threatening acute respiratory distress syndrome from a novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection 3 d postpartum successfully managed by veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The patient was successfully weaned from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) on day 10. Novel H1N1 virus infection was identified by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Veno-arterial ECMO in this patient carried a number of specific advantages namely maintaining haemodynamic stability obviating the need for inotrope support and improving oxygenation compared to alternative approaches such as veno-venous ECMO and pumpless devices. Femoral arterial and venous cannulae were inserted in a pure percutaneous method allowing rapid establishment of extracorporeal circulation. Given the high mortality of acute respiratory distress syndrome following novel H1N1 virus infection, we advocate the use of ECMO when conventional mechanical ventilation fails.

[Interhospital transport with extracorporeal life support: results and perspectives after 5 years experience]

OBJECTIVE

Describing the experience of a referral center for interhospital patients transport treated with extracorporeal circulatory or respiratory support (ECLS), the difficulties encountered and the results obtained.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective and observational study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients with respiratory or circulatory failure accepted for extracorporeal assistance for which routine medical transport was life threatening.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

A descriptive analysis was performed (median and interquartile deviation). Comparison of biological data was performed using a non-parametric Wilcoxon test and 5 years overall survival was determined by a Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

Over a 55-month period, 29 patients were selected for transportation under ECMO or ECLS. Indication was respiratory failure in 38 % of cases, hemodynamic instability in 52 % of cases and combined symptoms in 10 % of cases. Average duration of transportation was 40 km (9-64 km). No complication related to transport was observed. Incidence of intrahospital death was 57 %. There was no correlation between death and indication of ECLS. Five-year survival was 55 % and 39 % for venovenous and arteriovenous ECLS, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In our experience, interhospital transport of patients under ECMO is feasible in satisfactory conditions of safety with trained team and standard procedures.

[Use of ECMO as a salvage therapy for refractory hypoxia secondary to a Lemierre's syndrome]

We reported the case of a young adult with a Lemierre syndrome, which was complicated by septic shock and ARDS. Because of rapid onset of a life-threatening hypoxemia (PaO(2)/FiO(2)=60) in the course of the ARDS despite mechanical ventilation, ECMO was started with jugular and femoral cannulas, as rescue therapy. Good control of hypoxemia was obtained and ECMO was set up for six days. No significant complication was observed. The course was nevertheless complicated by acute renal failure and a pleural fistula that necessitated separate-lung ventilation during 24 hours. After 48 days left in the ICU, the patient was sent to a rehabilitation unit.

[Extracorporeal membranous oxygenation in severe infant pertussis: a case report]

Pertussis is a leading cause of death from community infections in infant. Life-threatening clinical presentations of pertussis can associate multiple organ system failure with respiratory distress. The question of the optimal management of these severe forms of pertussis, in order to reduce the high mortality rate, is raised by the clinicians caring for such patients. We report the case of a 1 month infant who was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) for a severe pertussis. He presented with an acute respiratory distress syndrome, a severe pulmonary hypertension was treated initially with mechanical ventilation and nitric oxide. At day 4 (D4), a cardiogenic shock occurred and, despite epinephrine and norepinephrine infusion, fluid expansion, the hemodynamic condition worsened with two episodes of cardiac arrest. The child was then successfully resuscitated, and, facing the extreme hemodynamic instability, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was considered. ECMO allowed epinephrine and norepinephrine to be progressively discontinued, and protective mechanical ventilation. ECMO withdrawal was possible at D9, with milrinone as the sole inotropic agent. Weaning from mechanical ventilation was possible on D15 and the total length of stay in PICU was 20days. While the analysis of the literature, through limited experiences on the use of ECMO in children with severe pertussis does not allow concluding definitively on the utility of ECMO in this situation, the contribution of ECMO in the favourable outcome for our patient was considerable. This is an argument, to our opinion, for considering ECMO in the management of those very instable patients.