Abstract
A case of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) that was successfully treated with extracorporeal membranous oxygenation (ECMO) is reported. A 58-year-old male patient underwent hepatectomy, and pulmonary edema occurred after the administration of fresh-frozen plasma and packed red cells. In the postoperative period, the impaired oxygenation progressively worsened, resulting in life-threatening hypoxemia, despite vigorous treatments. ECMO was therefore applied to the patient as a method of safe emergency support. Aggressive treatments under ECMO led to the successful improvement of the impaired oxygenation. TRALI is recognized as part of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). As a treatment for ARDS, ECMO does not cure the underlying disease of the lungs, however, with ECMO, TRALI, usually improves within 96 h with respiratory support. ECMO for TRALI-induced lethal hypoxemia is useful for providing time to allow the injured lung to recover. It is suggested that ECMO might be a useful option for the treatment of TRALI-induced, potentially lethal hypoxemia.
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Kuroda, H., Masuda, Y., Imaizumi, H. et al. Successful extracorporeal membranous oxygenation for a patient with life-threatening transfusion-related acute lung injury. J Anesth 23, 424–426 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-009-0760-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-009-0760-5