保护性肺通气治疗重症胸部创伤并急性呼吸窘迫综合征52例分析

目的探讨重症胸部创伤并发呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)机械辅助呼吸治疗的安全有效方法。方法选择52例以重症闭合性胸部创伤为主并ARDS患者,随机分为常规通气组及保护性肺通气治疗组,每组各26例;均以PB760呼吸机辅助呼吸(SIMV+PVS+PEEP模式),分别记录机械通气前及通气后8、24h动脉血气分析PaO_2、PaCO_2及氧合指数(PaO_2/FiO_2);同时记录每组呼吸机辅助呼吸的时间、治疗有效和无效(死亡)例数。结果保护性肺通气组8、24h后氧合指数、PaO_2明显优于常规通气组(P0.01),呼吸机辅助呼吸时间短于常规通气组(P0.01),病死率也低于常规通气组(P0.05)。结论保护性肺通气方式是治疗重症胸部创伤并发ARDS的有效方式。     

重症急性呼吸窘迫综合征体外膜肺治疗的探讨

目的 回顾性分析体外膜氧合(ECMO)在重症急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)治疗中的作用.方法 应用股静脉-股动脉途径的ECMO支持对1例吸入烟雾弹致严重ARDS患者治疗41 d.连续观察患者血液动力学、肺影像学、呼吸机参数、经皮脉氧氧饱和度、酸碱平衡、血乳酸含量以及心、肝、肾、脑功能的变化.结果 ECMO支持技术可使重症ARDS患者较长时间维持生理水平的动脉血气、组织氧供及酸碱平衡,保持良好的心、肺、肾、脑功能,但患者在行ECMO支持治疗的第41天因严重的肺部感染并可能的脑出血失去继续治疗的价值而终止治疗.结论 ECMO可提供有效的肺功能支持,可为ARDS患者肺的恢复和临床进一步处理创造了机会.出血与栓塞是维持ECMO顺利运行的关键问题.     

13例体外膜式氧合治疗肺栓塞合并心衰术后应用

【】目的：总结成人肺栓塞合并心衰术后应用体外膜式氧合技术(ECMO)治疗的临床经验。方法：2013年12月-2017年6月对我院13例成人肺栓塞合并心衰术后行体外膜式氧合技术治疗,其中,男性8例,女性5例;年龄37-65岁,采用静脉-动脉转流,辅助期间流量范围1.5L/min-3.0L/min,ECMO辅助时间(82.4±47.1)h,维持活化凝血酶时间(ACT)200s-220s结果：13例病人通过应用ECMO治疗过程中没有出现神经系统并发症,患者均成功撤除ECMO,并康复出院。结论：体外膜式氧和技术可以降低肺栓塞取栓术后肺动脉高压、减轻右心负荷、改善气体交换,是治疗肺栓塞术后合并心衰患者的有效手段。     

连续性高容量血液滤过对ARDS患者内环境及肺动力学的影响

对24例急性呼吸窘迫综合征（ARDS）患者于呼吸机支持下行持续高容量血液滤过（CHVHF）。结果与治疗前比较,CHVHF 24 h后APACHEⅡ评分、体温、平均动脉压、心率、C反应蛋白水平均明显下降（P〈0.05）;氧合指数及血pH、HCO3-明显升高（P〈0.05）;48 h后气道平台压、气道峰压明显下降（P〈0.05）,胸肺顺应性、动态肺顺应性明显上升（P〈0.05）;72 h后,平均肺动脉压、肺动脉楔压明显下降（P〈0.05）。认为CHVHF可通过纠正内环境紊乱改善肺动力学,从而明显改善ARDS患者通气功能,降低病死率。     

体外膜肺氧合治疗呼吸窘迫综合征的临床疗效研究

目的：探讨体外膜肺氧合（ ECMO）治疗呼吸窘迫综合征（ ARDS）的临床疗效。方法选择2011年11月—2013年11月我院收治的ARDS患者48例,按照就诊时间顺序将患者分为对照组和观察组,各24例。对照组患者单纯应用呼吸机通气治疗,观察组患者应用ECMO治疗。比较治疗前和治疗4 h及24 h后两组患者血流动力学监测指标〔肺动脉压（ PAP ）、心率（ HR ）、心脏指数（ CI ）〕,治疗前和治疗24 h 后全身氧代谢检测指标〔氧分压（ PaO2）、二氧化碳分压（ PaCO2）、血氧饱和度（ SaO2）、混合静脉血氧分压（ PvO2）、混合静脉血二氧化碳分压（PvCO2）、混合静脉血氧饱和度（SvO2）〕,治疗后败血症、感染等不良反应发生率及病死率。结果（1）血流动力学监测指标：治疗前和治疗4 h后两组患者HR、 PAP、 CI比较,差异无统计学意义（ P＞0.05）;治疗24 h后观察组患者上述指标均高于对照组（P＜0.05）。（2）全身氧代谢检测指标：治疗前两组患者PaO2、 PaCO2、 SaO2、 PvO2、PvCO2及SvO2比较,差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）;治疗24 h后观察组患者PaO2、 SaO2、 PvO2及SvO2高于对照组, PaCO2、 PvCO2低于对照组（P＜0.05）。（3）观察组患者不良反应发生率为8.3％（2／24）、病死率为29.2％（7／24）,分别低于对照组的25.0％（6／24）、67.7％（16／24）（P＜0.05）。结论采用ECMO治疗ARDS可有效改善患者血、氧代谢,降低不良反应发生率及病死率,可作为临床治疗ARDS的有效手段。     

体外膜肺氧合治疗呼吸窘迫综合征的临床疗效研究

目的：探讨体外膜肺氧合（ ECMO）治疗呼吸窘迫综合征（ ARDS）的临床疗效。方法选择2011年11月—2013年11月我院收治的ARDS患者48例,按照就诊时间顺序将患者分为对照组和观察组,各24例。对照组患者单纯应用呼吸机通气治疗,观察组患者应用ECMO治疗。比较治疗前和治疗4 h及24 h后两组患者血流动力学监测指标〔肺动脉压（ PAP ）、心率（ HR ）、心脏指数（ CI ）〕,治疗前和治疗24 h 后全身氧代谢检测指标〔氧分压（ PaO2）、二氧化碳分压（ PaCO2）、血氧饱和度（ SaO2）、混合静脉血氧分压（ PvO2）、混合静脉血二氧化碳分压（PvCO2）、混合静脉血氧饱和度（SvO2）〕,治疗后败血症、感染等不良反应发生率及病死率。结果（1）血流动力学监测指标：治疗前和治疗4 h后两组患者HR、 PAP、 CI比较,差异无统计学意义（ P＞0.05）;治疗24 h后观察组患者上述指标均高于对照组（P＜0.05）。（2）全身氧代谢检测指标：治疗前两组患者PaO2、 PaCO2、 SaO2、 PvO2、PvCO2及SvO2比较,差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）;治疗24 h后观察组患者PaO2、 SaO2、 PvO2及SvO2高于对照组, PaCO2、 PvCO2低于对照组（P＜0.05）。（3）观察组患者不良反应发生率为8.3％（2／24）、病死率为29.2％（7／24）,分别低于对照组的25.0％（6／24）、67.7％（16／24）（P＜0.05）。结论采用ECMO治疗ARDS可有效改善患者血、氧代谢,降低不良反应发生率及病死率,可作为临床治疗ARDS的有效手段。     

急性呼吸窘迫综合征患者氧合指数、血管外肺水指数的动态变化及其临床意义

目的:探讨急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)患者氧合指数、血管外肺水指数(EVLWI)的动态变化及意义。方法:选取ARDS患者101例,检测患者平均动脉压(MAP)、中心静脉压(CVP)、氧合指数和EVLWI。结果:101例患者28 d内死亡24例,存活77例;治疗72 h后存活患者MAP(64.5±5.9)mm Hg,明显高于入院时和死亡患者(P0.05);存活患者氧合指数随治疗时间延长而明显增加(P0.05),治疗48 h和72 h氧合指数为(180.3±31.6)mm Hg和(220.2±29.9)mm Hg,明显高于死亡患者(均P0.05);存活患者EVLWI随治疗时间延长而明显降低(P0.05),而死亡患者EVLWI随治疗时间延长而明显升高(P0.05),其中存活患者治疗48 h和72 h,EVLWI为(10.8±3.1)m L/kg和(8.4±2.4)m L/kg,明显低于死亡患者(P0.05);氧合指数和EVLWI呈负相关(r=-0.342,P0.05)。结论:氧合指数和EVLWI动态变化对判断ARDS患者的预后有一定的作用。     

感染性休克使用呼吸机的老年患者脱机失败的相关因素

目的探讨感染性休克需上呼吸机老年患者撤机失败的相关因素。方法选择120例入住该院行呼吸机辅助呼吸的感染性休克老年患者,均在达到撤机标准后循序渐进进行撤机,根据撤机后48 h情况分为撤机成功组与失败组。采用回顾性方法记录相关信息,筛选出影响撤机失败的相关因素,应用Logistic回归分析进行多因素回归分析。结果 120例呼吸机辅助呼吸患者中有10例撤机失败,发生率为8.3%。失败组患者年龄、慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)病史、并发呼吸机相关性肺炎(VAP)、机械通气时间、急性生理和慢性健康评分(APACHE)-Ⅱ评分、呼吸频率、血管外肺水指数(EVLWI)及胸腔内血容量(ITBI)明显高于成功组患者,而白蛋白(ALB)、氧合指数低于成功组患者(P0.05)。COPD病史、并发VAP、机械通气时间延长、ALB降低、APACHE-Ⅱ评分高、氧合指数低、EVLWI高是撤机失败发生的独立危险因素(P0.05)。结论 COPD病史、并发VAP、机械通气时间延长、ALB降低、APACHE-II评分高、氧合指数低、EVLWI高是感染性休克老年患者撤机失败的独立危险因素。     

80例序贯式双肺移植的麻醉管理

目的探讨80例序贯式双肺移植的麻醉管理和注意事项。方法选择接受序贯式双肺移植患者80例,全麻诱导后插入左双腔支气管导管,通气方式采用压力控制模式,麻醉维持采用泵注丙泊酚和顺苯磺酸阿曲库铵,间断静注舒芬太尼镇痛。诱导完成后经右颈内静脉置入Swan-Gans导管,左股动脉置入脉搏指示连续心排量(PICCO)导管监测心排量和外周血管阻力等指标。结果 80例序贯式双肺移植的手术时间平均为453.1±83.5 min,术中出血量为2021.3±1235.7 ml。37例双肺移植在体外膜肺(ECMO)辅助氧合下完成,有8例患者术后需ECMO辅助氧合,其余患者均在双肺移植完成后撤除ECMO。在非ECMO辅助氧合的移植患者中,有23例在行首侧肺移植过程中发生氧饱和下降,经阻断肺动脉后好转。所有移植病例在肺移植完成后肺动脉压力明显下降。结论序贯式双肺移植的麻醉管理在于术前对患者病情的正确评估,术中应对循环、呼吸以及内环境进行全方位的监测与精细化处理。     

血管外肺水指数及肺血管通透性指数对重症急性呼吸窘迫综合征患者预后的预测价值研究

目的 探讨血管外肺水指数(EVLWI)及肺血管通透性指数(PVPI)对重症急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)患者预后的预测价值。方法 选取2014年3月—2016年3月湖北省鄂东医疗集团黄石市中心医院(湖北理工学院附属医院)收治的重症ARDS患者31例,根据预后分为存活组14例与死亡组17例。两组患者入院后均予以常规治疗,治疗期间监测患者生命体征。比较两组患者治疗前及治疗24 h、48 h、72 h EVLWI、PVPI、氧合指数,比较治疗72 h不同EVLWI或PVPI患者急性生理学与慢性健康状况评分系统Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ)评分、感染相关器官功能衰竭评分系统(SOFA)评分、氧合指数;EVLWI和PVPI与重症ARDS患者氧合指数的相关性分析采用Pearson相关性分析,采用四格表评估EVLWI和PVPI对重症ARDS患者预后的预测价值。结果 时间与方法在EVLWI、PVPI、氧合指数上无交互作用(P0.05);时间在EVLWI、PVPI、氧合指数上主效应不显著(P0.05);方法在EVLWI、PVPI、氧合指数上主效应显著(P0.05);治疗48 h、72 h存活组患者EVLWI、PVPI低于死亡组,氧合指数高于死亡组(P0.05)。Pearson相关性分析结果显示,EVLWI和PVPI与重症ARDS患者氧合指数呈负相关(r值分别为-0.772、-0.691,P0.05)。治疗72 h,EVLWI≥10 ml/kg和PVPI≥3患者APACHEⅡ评分、SOFA评分分别高于EVLWI10ml/kg和PVPI3患者,氧合指数分别低于EVLWI10 ml/kg和PVPI3患者(P0.05)。以10 ml/kg为临界值,EVLWI预测重症ARDS患者预后的灵敏度为88.2%,特异度为100.0%,阳性预测值为100.0%,阴性预测值为87.5%,符合率为93.5%;以3为临界值,PVPI预测重症ARDS患者预后的灵敏度为76.5%,特异度为100.0%,阳性预测值为100.0%,阴性预测值为77.8%,符合率为87.1%。结论 EVLWI和PVPI与重症ARDS患者氧合指数呈负相关,二者对重症ARDS患者预后的预测价值均较高。     

Awake extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in patients with severe postoperative acute respiratory distress syndrome

Background

A clinical trial of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as an alternative ventilator tool is being performed as a new indication for ECMO. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of awake ECMO to increase the success rate of weaning patients from ECMO and ventilator care during treatment of postoperative severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical reports of 10 patients who underwent awake ECMO due to postoperative ARDS between August 2012 and May 2015. We analyzed patient history, the partial arterial pressure of oxygen (PaO₂)/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂) ratio, and patient outcome.

Results

Seven patients (70%) were weaned from ECMO without difficulty; one patient failed to maintain awake ECMO, was re-intubated after 2 days of awake ECMO, and was re-tried on awake ECMO after 4 days of ventilator care. We weaned that patient from ECMO 2 days later. We weaned a total of eight patients (80%) from awake ECMO. The ECMO duration of surviving patients was 9.13±2.2 days (range, 6–12 days), and mean ventilator use duration was 6.8±4.7 days (range, 2–16 days). Two cases failed awake ECMO and died due to disease aggravation.

Conclusions

Awake ECMO was a useful weaning strategy after severe postoperative ARDS, as it avoids long-duration use of mechanical ventilation. Additionally, it is possible for patients to breathe spontaneously, which might prevents respiratory muscle dystrophy.     

Adenovirus Pneumonia Complicated With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Case Report

Severe adenovirus infection in children can manifest with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and respiratory failure, leading to the need for prolonged mechanical support in the form of either mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal life support. Early extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) intervention for children with ARDS should be considered if selection criteria fulfill.We report on a 9-month-old boy who had adenovirus pneumonia with rapid progression to ARDS. Real-time polymerase chain reaction tests of sputum and pleural effusion samples confirmed adenovirus serotype 7. Chest x-rays showed progressively increasing infiltrations and pleural effusions in both lung fields within 11 days. Because conventional ARDS therapies failed, we initiated ECMO with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) for 9 days. Chest x-rays showed gradual improvements in lung expansion.This patient was subsequently discharged after a hospital stay of 38 days. Post-ECMO and adenovirus sequelae were followed in our outpatient department.Adenovirus pneumonia in children can manifest with severe pulmonary morbidity and respiratory failure. The unique lung recruitment by HFOV can be a useful therapeutic option for severe ARDS patients when combined with sufficient lung rest provided by ECMO.     

Protocol-driven daily optimisation of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation blood flows: an alternate paradigm?

Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) is now an established modality of support for patients with the who are failing evidence-based conventional therapies. Minimising ventilator-induced lung injury is the guiding principle behind patient management with VV ECMO. Patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) supported with VV ECMO are liberated from ECMO at a stage when native lungs have recovered sufficiently to support physiologic demands and the risks of iatrogenic lung injuries after discontinuation of ECMO are perceived to be small. However, native lung recovery is a dynamic process and patients rely on varying degrees of contributions from both native lungs and ECMO for gas exchange support. Patients often demonstrate near total ECMO dependence for oxygenation and decarboxylation early in the course of the illness and this may necessitate higher ECMO blood flow rates (EBFRs). Although, reliance on high EBFR for oxygenation support may remain variable over the course of ECMO, blood flow requirements typically diminish over time as native lungs start to recover. Currently, protocol-driven modulation of the EBFR based on changing physiologic needs is not common practice and consequently patients may remain on higher than physiologically necessary EBFR. This exposes the patient to potential risks because maintaining higher blood flows often requires a less restrictive fluid balance and deeper sedation. Both may be harmful in the setting of recovery from ARDS. In this article, we propose a strategy that involves daily assessments of native lung function and a protocol-driven daily optimisation of EBFR. This is followed by optimisation of sweep gas flow rate (SGFR) and the fraction of delivered oxygen in the sweep gas (FdO₂). This staged approach to weaning VV ECMO allows us to fully utilise the “decoupling” of oxygenation and decarboxylation that is possible only during extracorporeal support. This approach may benefit patients by allowing for greater fluid restriction, more aggressive fluid removal, expedited weaning of sedation and neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs), and early physical rehabilitation. Ultimately, prospective studies are needed to evaluate optimal VV ECMO weaning practices     

体外膜肺氧合在心脏移植术后移植物衰竭支持治疗中的应用

目的:总结心脏移植术后早期移植物衰竭体外膜肺氧合(extracorporeal membrane oxygena-tion,ECMO)支持治疗的临床经验。方法:自2008年1月至2011年12月,阜外医院共进行心脏移植181例,其中16例患者在心脏移植术后使用ECMO进行循环支持治疗。记录ECMO运行期间相关参数、机械辅助时间、并发症等指标。观察ECMO建立时、辅助24 h和撤机时患者血浆乳酸值,ECMO辅助前和ECMO辅助24 h多巴胺及肾上腺素的用量。结果:16例心脏移植围手术期接受ECMO支持治疗的患者中脱机14例(87.5%),存活出院13例(81.3%)。其中2例因心脏功能无改善不能脱机放弃治疗,1例脱机后发生慢性排斥反应,出现多器官功能衰竭(MOF)死亡。所有患者均采用动脉—静脉(A-V)ECMO辅助方式,患者ECMO前、ECMO运行24 h和停止ECMO时血浆乳酸值分别为:(8.36±3.41)、(2.42±1.53)、(2.25±2.17)mmol/L。运行24 h及停止ECMO时,血浆乳酸值较安装前明显下降(P<0.05)。ECMO前和运行24 h多巴胺用量分别为:(7.38±3.42)和(5.29±1.93)μg.min-1.kg-1,两者之间比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。ECMO前和运行24 h肾上腺素用量分别为:(0.17±0.11)和(0.02±0.03)μg.min-1.kg-1,运行24 h较ECMO前肾上腺素用量明显减小(P<0.05)。结论:ECMO是一种有效的循环呼吸衰竭辅助支持疗法,能明显降低终末期心脏病患者心脏移植术后早期病死率。     

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome as a presenting manifestation in young patients infected with H1N1 influenza virus

Introduction

The new strain of influenza A (H1N1) 2009, often referred to colloquially as “swine flu”, which was first detected in April 2009, raised to a pandemic of which the impact was not completely predictable. As reported, numerous cases with severe respiratory failure were also seen among young previously healthy people.

Patients

In the present study, we report eight cases of influenza A (H1N1) 2009 admitted to our medical intensive care with severe respiratory failure between November and December 2009 and in January 2011. All patients were older than 30 but younger than 50 years, had clinical and radiological evidence of an Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and needed invasive ventilatory support.

Results

Six of the eight patients had no relevant underlying disease; one had a pre-existing idiopathic lung fibrosis and another had a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an abuse of alcohol and an adiposities grade 3. Four patients needed an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) due to severe respiratory failure with global respiratory insufficiency that could not be treated by conservative ventilatory support. The one patient with a pre-existing lung fibrosis died shortly after lung transplantation despite use of an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. One other patient died due to a subarachnoidal bleeding under the anticoagulatory regime during ECMO therapy. The adipose COPD-patient died due to septic shock with multiple organ failure without possibility for ECMO support.

Conclusions

The clinical course of severe cases of influenza A (H1N1) 2009-infection is markedly different from the disease pattern seen during epidemics of seasonal influenza. Most of the patients admitted to our intensive care unit due to influenza A (H1N1) 2009 associated ARDS were previously healthy young people.     

The use of life-saving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for pregnant woman with status asthmaticus

Introduction: Status asthmaticus can develop into a life-threatening disorder that requires mechanical ventilation. Severe respiratory failure during pregnancy can worsen maternal and fetal outcomes. Previous case studies have demonstrated extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a life-saving measure for pregnant women with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) as well as non-pregnant patients with status asthmaticus. Case study: A 25-year-old woman, who was 5 weeks pregnant, was admitted with status asthmaticus and severe hypercapnic respiratory failure. Despite rescue therapies such as pressure control ventilation with high inspiratory pressures, inhaled beta2 agonists and antimuscarinic drugs, intravenous salbutamol, methylprednisolone and magnesium sulfate, her condition gradually deteriorated. Veno-venous ECMO was initiated for respiratory support and the patient's clinical condition as well as the gas exchange improved within the next few days. ECMO was removed and the patient was extubated after 2 days. Sonography, however, revealed a retrochorial hematoma; the patient was diagnosed with abortus imminens and successfully treated with magnesium substitution and bed rest. Finally, she gave birth to a healthy boy at 38 weeks of gestation. Conclusions: This is the first case report on the successful use of ECMO in a pregnant woman with severe respiratory insufficiency due to status asthmaticus, who failed to respond to invasive mechanical ventilation and maximum pharmacological treatment. Despite this life-threatening condition, the use of ECMO in our patient has greatly improved the chance of survival for the mother and the baby, who was born without any complications.     

体外膜肺氧合技术在人工心脏瓣膜置换术后泵衰竭中的应用

目的研究心脏瓣膜置换术后泵衰竭应用体外膜肺氧合(extra corporeal membrane oxygenation,ECMO)支持治疗的效果,为重症心脏瓣膜病患者围术期循环辅助管理提供参考。方法选取东莞康华医院2012年3月至2018年8月收治的心脏瓣膜置换术患者867例,其中18例患者术后出现泵衰竭应用ECMO继续进行循环支持治疗的资料。观察分析患者血浆乳酸、脑钠肽(brain natriuretic peptide,BNP)、肌酐浓度、血管活性药物:肾上腺素及多巴胺使用剂量和心指数在ECMO建立时、运行24 h及撤机时的变化。结果18例泵衰竭应用ECMO支持治疗的心脏瓣膜置换术后患者的血浆乳酸、BNP、肌酐浓度及肾上腺素、多巴胺药物使用剂量在应用ECMO支持治疗即时、运行24 h及停止时呈现显著降低趋势,而心指数则出现逐步升高趋势,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。围术期因ECMO严重并发症导致多器官功能衰竭而死亡6例。结论应用ECMO支持治疗人工心脏瓣膜置换术后泵衰竭,可有效辅助治疗循环衰竭,进而降低外科换瓣患者手术死亡率。     

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support during lung volume reduction surgery for a severe respiratory failure patient with emphysema

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in adults has increased in popularity and importance for the support of patients with cardiac or pulmonary failure, but rarely been described as a means of support during anaesthesia and surgery. We report the case of a patient who required lung volume reduction because of emphysema where veno-venous ECMO was required both during surgery and for the first four days postoperatively. We describe the anaesthetic management of this patient who had severe respiratory failure, review other alternatives and discuss why ECMO was particularly suited to this case.     

Successful treatment of severe ARDS caused by accidental inhalation of nitric acid fumes with veno-venous ECMO: A case report and literature review

Rationale:The treatment of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by accidental inhalation of nitric acid fumes is challenging. Few successful cases have been reported in literature. Owing to the development of extracorporeal life support, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may play an important role in treatment.Patient concerns:A 40-year-old man was accidentally exposed to nitric acid fumes for 10 minutes in a factory. Mild throat irritation and dyspnea occurred 3.5 hours after exposure. Severe dyspnea recurred approximately two hours later. Chest computed tomography revealed bilateral interstitial edema. Tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation were provided when the non-invasive ventilator failed to support the patient. However, his vital signs, respiratory function, and circulation were aggravated.Diagnosis:Aspiration pneumonia (inhalation of nitric acid fumes), acute respiratory distress syndrome, and hypertension.Interventions:Veno-venous ECMO (VV-ECMO) was started 6 hours after exposure at the intensive care unit. During VV-ECMO, hypoxia improved. However, chest radiography revealed aggravated pulmonary edema. Prone positioning under ultrasound monitoring and high-dose methylprednisolone were administered on the first day. Nebulization and fiberoptic bronchoscopy for airway management were performed on the second day after the exposure. Pulmonary secretions were significantly reduced 48 hours later.Outcomes:The patient was weaned off V-V ECMO after 6 days, achieved the standard of extubation after 9 days, and was discharged without serious pulmonary or infectious complications after 12 days of hospitalization. Three weeks after discharge, the patient’s lung function showed a slight decline in the diffusion function. Two months after discharge, the patient’s lung function returned to normal.Lesson:Early ECMO combined with prone positioning and visualized management through ultrasonography can better improve the prognoses of patients and promote lung function recovery.