The Use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Severe Burns Without Inhalation Injury

J Burn Care Res. 2018 Jun 13;39(4):640-644. doi: 10.1093/jbcr/irx021.

Abstract

Burn injury results in a severe systemic inflammatory response which is associated with the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), even without associated inhalation injury. Venous-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) has been implemented in various cases of ARDS to provide support and allow for protective lung ventilation strategies. We report the case of a 27-year-old man presenting with a 60% total body surface area partial thickness burn who developed refractory ARDS with Murray Score of 3.75. ECMO was initiated on hospital day 9 for a total of 10 days with concurrent lung-protective ventilation. He subsequently recovered and was discharged on hospital day 48. ECMO should be considered as an adjunctive strategy in burn patients without inhalation injury to minimize ventilator-induced lung injury when high levels of support are needed to achieve adequate ventilation in patients with ARDS.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Burns / complications*
  • Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / etiology*
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / therapy*