The answer is blowing in the wind: an uncommon cause for severe ARDS accompanied by circulatory insufficiency requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Abstract

We report a rare complication in an immunosuppressed patient with IgA nephropathy who suffered from severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, severe capillary leakage and shock after placement of a double lumen central venous catheter. He could be successfully treated by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and therapeutic plasma exchange. This report highlights the severity of late-onset complications of catheter placements and shows the potential of ECMO treatment for the management of acute illnesses with bridge to recovery.

Figure 1

Time course of ventilator support and vasopressor therapy. This graph illustrates the severity of illness and rapid recovery that was made possible by bridging respiratory and circulatory failure with ECMO therapy. ECMO blood flow and FiO₂ as well as Noradrenalin dose could be reduced within hours after starting therapy. ECMO, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; FiO₂, fractional inspired oxygen; TPE, therapeutic plasma exchange; VA, venoarterial.