Successful use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for sudden aggravation of acute respiratory distress syndrome: A case report

ABSTRACT

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients with severe hypoxemia refractory to conventional ventilation has recently gained attention due to recent reports that highlighted its potential benefit. This report presents a case of acute onset acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with severe hypoxemia in the operating room that showed significant improvement after applying ECMO in the intensive care unit. Although the oxygen saturation decreased to as low as 50% before the application of ECMO, at no time did the patient show hypotension or decreased cardiac output. The patient improved within 48 hours of ECMO and recovered with no major complications or neurologic sequelae. Our case shows that ECMO is a valuable and viable option in ARDS with severe refractory hypoxemia.