Tuberc Respir Dis.  2007 Dec;63(6):526-530.

A Case of Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Treated with Extracorporeal Life Support

• Kim YM
• Lee JY
• Lee MG
• Lee CY
• Kim GW
• Sohn KM
• Yang HN
• Kim DY
• Choi HH
• Kim HS

Abstract

The incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has been estimated worldwide to range from 1.7 to 75 cases per 100,000. There are many treatments for ARDS, but only the low tidal volume strategy is based on strong clinical evidence from randomized clinical trials. The efficacy of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) in adults remains controversial. Ongoing clinical trials and research have shown a benefit for its use to salvage severe ARDS patients that are in failure with conventional treatment. We encountered a 41-year-old woman who developed ARDS induced by pneumococcal pneumonia. Despite conventional mechanical ventilation in the emergency room, severe hypoxia remained. We treated the patient immediately with ECLS. The patient has almost fully recovered, and was discharged from a 177-day stay at our hospital.

Keyword

Acute respiratory distress syndrome; Extracorporeal life support

MeSH Terms

Adult
Anoxia
Emergency Service, Hospital
Female
Humans
Incidence
Pneumonia, Pneumococcal
Respiration, Artificial
Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult*
Tidal Volume

Figure

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  Figure 1 Chest PA at (A) admission and (B) discharge.

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  Figure 2 Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

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  Figure 3 Change of PaO2/FiO2 and PEEP (positive end-expiratory pressure).

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