Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for acute life-threatening neurogenic pulmonary edema following rupture of an intracranial aneurysm

• Published in: Journal of Korean medical science Vol. 28; no. 6; pp. 962 - 964
• Main Authors: Hwang, Gyo Jun, Sheen, Seung Hun, Kim, Hyoung Soo, Lee, Hee Sung, Lee, Tae Hun, Gim, Gi Ho, Hwang, Sung Mi, Lee, Jae Jun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences 01-06-2013; 대한의학회
• Subjects: Adult; Brain - diagnostic imaging; Case Report; Decompressive Craniectomy; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; Female; Humans; Intracranial Aneurysm - complications; Intracranial Aneurysm - diagnosis; Pulmonary Edema - diagnosis; Pulmonary Edema - etiology; Pulmonary Edema - therapy; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage - etiology; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; 의학일반; Pulmonary Edema; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
• ISSN: 1011-8934; 1598-6357
• DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2013.28.6.962

Neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE) leading to cardiopulmonary dysfunction is a potentially life-threatening complication in patients with central nervous system lesions. This case report describes a 28-yr woman with life-threatening fulminant NPE, which was refractory to conventional respiratory treatment, following the rupture of an aneurysm. She was treated successfully with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), although ECMO therapy is generally contraindicated in neurological injuries such as brain trauma and diseases that are likely to require surgical intervention. The success of this treatment suggests that ECMO therapy should not be withheld from patients with life-threatening fulminant NPE after subarachnoid hemorrhage.