Combination of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and pulmonary lavage in a patient with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 1999 Mar;15(3):370-2. doi: 10.1016/s1010-7940(99)00013-5.

Abstract

We describe a rare case of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in a young woman with dyspnea and progressive hypoxaemia due to the alveolar deposition of insoluble, surfactant-like material. Routine treatment includes whole-lung-lavage (WLL) using double-lumen-tubes for selective lavaging of each lung. We performed three whole-lung-lavages and used veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (v-vECMO) to support oxygenation during these procedures.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage*
  • Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis / physiopathology
  • Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis / therapy*
  • Pulmonary Gas Exchange