Respiratory failure caused by a traffic accident successfully treated with ECMO – Case report an review of the literature

Abstract

Introduction. Acute respiratory distress syndrome is an inflammatory process that results in impaired lung function. It is predicted that by 2025, it will be the third largest cause of death. In some cases, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation may be the last option, improving patient outcome. Case report. The study presents a case of successful treatment od 47-year-old man. Due to respiratory failure following trauma, veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy was initiated. Systemic anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin was not used in this case. A prophylactic dose of low molecular weight heparin was administered instead. After stabilization of the vital signs, the patient was discharged from the intensive care unit. Conclusions. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation might be a good option for patients suffering from severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, but protective ventilation is still a method of choice. There have been studies indicating patients outcome improvement; however mortality reduction is still elusive.