Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in devastating bacterial pneumonia: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Background Bacterial pneumonia is one of the most common causes of acute respiratory distress syndrome. In fulminant cases, when mechanical ventilation fails, veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is required. However, this method is still associated with significant mortality and a wide range of potential complications. However, there are now many case reports of good outcomes even in patients with prolonged extracorporeal oxygenation, as in our rather complicated case report. Case presentation Our case report describes a complicated but successful treatment of a severe, devastating bacterial pneumonia in a 39-year-old European polymorbid woman with a rare form of diabetes mellitus, which had been poorly compensated for a long time with limited compliance, in the context of a combined immunodeficiency that strongly influenced the course of the disease. The patient’s hospitalization required a total of 30 days of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy and more than 50 days of mechanical ventilation. Numerous complications, particularly bleeding, required seven chest drains, two extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit changes, and one surgical revision. The patient’s mental state required repeated psychiatric intervention. Conclusion It is possible that even the initially severely damaged lung parenchyma can develop its regenerative potential if suitable conditions are provided for this process, including a sufficiently long period of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. We believe that this case report may also contribute to the consideration of the indications and contraindications of extracorporeal support. The authors also discuss the limitations and risks of prolonged veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support and periprocedural anticoagulation strategies.