Open AccessThe successful treatment of refractory respiratory failure due to miliary tuberculosis: survival after prolonged extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support
Author(s) -
Nam SungJin,
Cho YoungJae
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the clinical respiratory journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.789
H-Index - 33
eISSN - 1752-699X
pISSN - 1752-6981
DOI - 10.1111/crj.12437
Subject(s) - medicine , extracorporeal membrane oxygenation , refractory (planetary science) , miliary tuberculosis , respiratory failure , intensive care medicine , acute respiratory failure , tuberculosis , extracorporeal , oxygenation , anesthesia , surgery , mechanical ventilation , pathology , physics , astrobiology
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has high morbidity and mortality. Although uncommon, pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) can cause ARDS in patients with extensive pulmonary parenchymal involvement. Veno‐venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV‐ECMO) is an accepted alternative option in refractory hypoxemic respiratory failure. It may normalize gas exchange and allow lung rest, avoiding ventilator induced lung injury. We report the case of a 44‐year‐old woman who developed ARDS secondary to pulmonary TB. Despite anti‐TB treatment and mechanical ventilation, patient had persistent refractory hypoxemia. In order to prevent further lung injury, VV‐ECMO support was performed for 73 days. Although the patient experienced several complications, patient was successfully managed on VV‐ECMO. VV‐ECMO support, in combination with anti‐TB drugs, is a useful tool in the treatment of ARDS with refractory hypoxemia caused by miliary TB.