A case of adult severe H1N1 influenza associated-pneumonia treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)

Abstract

A patient presented with severe adult H1N1 influenza associated-pneumonia. The patient had signs of an upper respiratory infection and antibiotics were administered. He developed severe hypoxia due to pneumonia after 5 days. Influenza rapid antigen test was negative. Although he required receiving intensive care because of the severe hypoxia, P/F ratio was 75 and Murray score was 3.4, and therefore he was treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) on the 2nd day. He began to recover from acute respiratory distress syndrome on the 5th day, and he was weaned from ECMO on the 7th day because P/F ratio was 289. It is important to know that negative rapid antigen tests do not exclude H1N1 influenza. ECMO is considered to be used for a short period of time when administered to patients presenting with severe hypoxia after having demonstrated a recovery of their respiratory function.