Case Report
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World J Clin Cases. Oct 16, 2014; 2(10): 578-580
Published online Oct 16, 2014. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v2.i10.578
Challenging rescue of a 4 years old boy with H1N1 infection by extracorporeal membrane oxygenator: A case report
Nestoras Papadopoulos, Sven Martens, Harald Keller, Ali El-Sayed Ahmad, Anton Moritz, Andreas Zierer
Nestoras Papadopoulos, Harald Keller, Ali El-Sayed Ahmad, Anton Moritz, Andreas Zierer, Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
Sven Martens, Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Muenster, 48419 Muenster, Germany
Author contributions: Martens S performed the ECMO implantation; Keller H was the perfusionist; El-Sayed Ahmad A performed data analysis; Papadopoulos N, Moritz A and Zierer A were the major contributors in writing the manuscript; all authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Correspondence to: Nestoras Papadopoulos, MD, Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe University, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt/Main, Germany. nestoras.papadopoulos@gmail.com
Telephone: + 49-69-630183601 Fax: + 49-69-63017582
Received: April 4, 2014
Revised: June 23, 2014
Accepted: July 27, 2014
Published online: October 16, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: Here, we report the case of a child with swine-origin influenza A-associated fulminate respiratory and secondary hemodynamic deterioration, who was rescued by initial emergent extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (ECMO) established through a dialysis catheter and subsequent switch to veno-atrial ECMO (VA-ECMO) via central cannulation. This report highlights several important issues. First, it describes a successful use of a dialysis catheter for the veno-venous ECMO-establishment in an emergency case by child. Second, it highlights the importance of a closely monitoring of clotting parameters and third, if severe respiratory failure is complicated by cardiogenic shock, VA-ECMO support via median sternotomy should be considered as a viable treatment option without further delay.