Successful Rescue of an Adult With Refractory Anaphylactic Shock and Abdominal Compartment Syndrome With Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Bedside Laparotomy

We present a patient treated with venoarterial ECMO for refractory shock following anaphylaxis who developed ACS that was successfully treated with urgent decompressive laparotomy performed in the intensive care unit. This case report highlights the role of abdominal compartment syndrome as a rare but potentially fatal cause of low circuit flow in ECMO-supported patients and proposes a stepwise approach to decision making in this setting. Urgent decompressive laparotomy is potentially lifesaving in this circumstance, and should be urgently considered once other causes of low ECMO flow have been excluded.
Source: Seminars in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Clinical Challenge Source Type: research