Apical transverse motion is a new and simple parameter integrating information on both regional and temporal function inhomogeneities of the LV. It has a potential role in assessing LV asynchrony in the clinical context.

BackgroundNear-fatal asthma attacks are life threatening events that often require mechanical ventilation. Extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO2R) is, beside extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a well-established rescue option whenever ventilation gets to its limits. But there seems to be very rare experience with those techniques in avoiding mechanical ventilation in severe asthma attacks.Case presentationA 67-year-old man with a near-fatal asthma attack deteriorated under non-invasive ventilation conditions. Beside pharmacological treatment, the intensivists decided to use an extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal system (ECCO2R) to avoid sedation and intubation. Within only a few hours, there was a breakthrough and the patient’s status improved continuously. One and a half days later, weaning from ECCO2R was already completed.ConclusionsThe discussion deals with several advantages of extracorporeal lung support in acute asthma, the potential of avoiding intubation and sedation, as well as the benefits of a conscious and spontaneously breathing patient. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in general and ECCO2R in particular is a highly effective method for the treatment of an acute near-fatal asthma attack. Pathophysiological aspects favor the “awake” approach, without sedation, intubation, and mechanical ventilation. Therefore, experienced clinicians might consider “awake” ECCO2R in similar cases.

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A 58-year male patient was admitted to the intensive care unit of our hospital due to an exacerbated COPD (GOLD IV) complicated by a pneumonia. The clinical course deteriorated despite of evidence based intensive care treatment and lungprotective ventilation, a vv-ECMO and a volatile sedation were established. After a few days vv-ECMO could be discontinued and the patient was discharged from hospital after 20 days.Our case report suggests that early support with vv-ECMO could reduce the cumulative duration of invasive ventilation in case of severe COPD exacerbation. The combination with volatile sedatives make it possible to guide the patient to spontaneous breathing with only a short weaning periode.

BackgroundNewly approved immunotherapeutic agents, like CTLA-4 inhibitors and antibodies against PD-1, are a promising therapeutic option in cancer therapy.Case presentationA 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 conclusionThis 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.