• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.35 no.9
• /
• pp.664-667
• /
• 2002

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO) provides stable oxygenation to prevent elevation of pulmonary vascular resistance and bypasses a significant part of cardiac output to the pulmonary vascular bed to reduce pulmonary perfusion pressure. In addition, ECMO prevents right heart failure and low cardiac output by means of ventricular assist and reduction in volume load to right ventricle. As a result, ECMO can be used for the treatment of pulmonary hypertensive crisis after surgery for congenital heart disease, especially when it is refractory to conventional measures. We report a case of postoperative pulmonary hypertensive crisis, developed in a 37-year-old male with patent ductus arteriosus with secondary pulmonary hypertension, which was successfully managed including ECMO.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.101-106
• /
• 2018

A 6-year-old boy with underlying hemolytic anemia of unknown etiology, atopic dermatitis, and recurrent urticaria visited our hospital because of acute respiratory failure induced by influenza A. Despite mechanical ventilation after endotracheal intubation along with inhalation of nitric oxide, respiratory acidosis and hypoxemia persisted. Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) insertion was performed to provide respiratory support. After performing flexible bronchoscopy, we found that thick mucus plugs were obstructing the right bronchus intermedius and the upper lobe orifice. After bronchial washing and removal of the plugs, we were able to wean the patient off VV ECMO and transfer him to the general ward. He was discharged without any neurologic or pulmonary sequelae.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.43 no.1
• /
• pp.104-107
• /
• 2010

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is difficult to treat and it is often fatal. If the medical treatment for ARDS is not effective, then extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can be applied to the patient. A 22-year-old female who suffered multiple traumatic injuries due to a car accident presented with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Veinarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) was started to treat her respiratory failure. With the VA ECMO, the systemic oxygen saturation remained at only 84%, and so the ECMO system was switched to V-VA ECMO via an additional venous outflow through the right jugular vein to increase both the systemic and pulmonary oxygen saturation. After conversion to the V-VA type ECMO, the systemic oxygen saturation increased to 94% and the partial pressure of oxygen ($PaO_2$) increased to 65 mmHg. We report here on a successful case of ECMO conversion from the VA type to the V-VA type in a patient with severely hypoxic respiratory failure.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.492-496
• /
• 2009

Background: The treatment of acute pulmonary embolism is difficult, and it can be lethal when cardiogenic shock is involved with major pulmonary embolism. In the past, pulmonary embolectomy was considered as the last choice for patients with pulmonary embolism. Accordingly, we analyzed our experience with seven cases of pulmonary embolectomy as an alternative option for the early treatment of pulmonary embolism. Material and Method: A retrospective analysis of medical charts of all patients who underwent pulmonary embolectomy at our hospital over the past eight years was performed. The patients were observed during their hospital stay and followed until their last visit to the outpatient department. Result: Among 7 patients (4 men and 3 women), 4 had massive pulmonary embolism, and 3 had sub massive pulmonary embolism. An extracorporeal membrane oxygenator was inserted in 3 patients before surgery. There was no mortality, and postoperative echocardiography showed no pulmonary hypertension in 6 patients. Conclusion: Pulmonary embolectomy can be performed with minimal mortality. We think that the use of an extracorporeal membrane oxygenator in patients with cardiogenic shock before surgery improves survival.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.82 no.1
• /
• pp.244-249
• /
• 2021

A 53-year-old woman presented with dyspnea. She had undergone extended thymectomy for an invasive thymoma two months prior. CT revealed numerous small nodules in the lung. After that, she deteriorated owing to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and the vascular surgeon planned veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). During percutaneous cannulation through the left femoral vein, a vascular injury was suspected, and the patient's vital signs became unstable. Diagnostic angiography showed a ruptured left common iliac vein, and the bleeding was stopped by placement of a stent-graft. May-Thurner syndrome was diagnosed on abdominal CT. Here, we report a rare case of ECMO-related vascular injury in a patient with an unrecognized anatomical variant, May-Thurner syndrome.

• Membrane Journal
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.47-53
• /
• 2000

The artificial lung is a device used to replace the function of the lungs. The major function of the lung is to remove carbon dioxide from the venous blood and replace it with oxygen, or arterialize the blood. And the function of the artificial lung is to provide an adequate amount of oxygenated blood to all the tissues of body during the open heart surgery. Extracorporeal life support(ECLS or ECMO) is standard treatment for severe respiratory failure but poses many contributions to future lung transplantation. Artificial Lung or membrane oxygenators available today, based on microporous polypropylene fibers, are associated with two major problems. They require systemic anticoagulation of the patient and they allow serum leakage across the membrane from the blood side to the gas side during long-term use. We obtained newly fabricated polypropylene(PP)/polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS) membranes which combined PP membrane, a microporous support layer with PDMS, and we had investiaged a technique for minimizing serum lekage of polypropylene(PP) membrane. The gas permeability of each PP/PDMS membrane was almost constant before and after the whole blood test by Lee-White method, while that of PP membrane was significantly reduced. Therefore the PP/PDMS membrane could be prevented serum leakage of PP membrane. In addition, the gas permeability of $CO_2$ in PP/PDMS membrane was 11.5 times higher as compared with that of $O_2$.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.71-79
• /
• 2019

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is the most common causative agent of community-acquired pneumonia in school-aged children. An 8-year-old boy who had been diagnosed with autism looked severely ill when he presented to our hospital due to dyspnea and lethargy. He had fever and cough 7 days prior to hospitalization. He had signs and symptoms of severe respiratory distress. The percutaneous oxygen saturation was 88% at high oxygen supply. Chest radiography showed diffusely increased opacity with moderate pleural effusion. He was intubated immediately and admitted to the intensive care unit. Under the clinical impression of mycoplasmal pneumonia, intravenous clarithromycin was started. Laboratory findings showed leukocytosis, hepatitis, decreased renal function, and presence of serum MP immunoglobulin (Ig) M (+) IgG (+) and sputum MP polymerase chain reaction (+). On hospital day 2, the patient developed multiple organ failure with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was performed with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and was weaned successfully. This is the first reported case of an ARDS due to MP infection complicated by multiple organ failure that was successfully treated with ECMO and CRRT in South Korea.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.237-247
• /
• 2024

Purpose : This study aimed to systematically review the effectiveness of nursing interventions for patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). As the use of ECMO increases in critical care settings, it is important to understand how nursing interventions affect patient outcomes, survival, and complication rates. Methods : This systematic review followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines. A literature search was performed using terms related to ECMO and nursing interventions in several international electronic databases including CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, and Web of Science. Studies were screened and selected according to predefined eligibility criteria, focusing on those that evaluated the impact of nursing interventions on adult. Data extraction and risk-of-bias assessment were independently performed by two researchers. Results : A total of 647 studies were identified, and seven met the inclusion criteria for qualitative analysis. The included studies demonstrated that high-quality nursing care significantly improves clinical outcomes and reduces complications in patients receiving ECMO. Effective nursing interventions included prone positioning combined with ECMO for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, meticulous infection control, comprehensive and continuous nursing protocols, skilled nursing, and multidisciplinary management. These interventions have been shown to improve oxygenation, reduce complications, such as bleeding, manage blood pressure, and enhance overall clinical outcomes. Conclusion : High-quality nursing interventions are critical to improve survival and reduce complications in patients receiving ECMO. Implementing a multidisciplinary approach and comprehensive nursing protocols, including infection control and psychological support, is essential for the effective management of these patients. The findings of this study provide a foundation for the development of practical guidelines and educational programs to improve the quality of care for patients undergoing ECMO, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of ECMO treatment and patient outcomes.