Pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) is the treatment of choice to relieve pulmonary artery obstruction in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). We present a patient with airway obstruction and acute respiratory failure due to large blood clots obstructing the trachea and main left bronchus. This condition was accompanied by right ventricle failure and cardiogenic shock. A venoarterial ECMO system was used for cardiopulmonary support before extracting the clots and clearing the airway by rigid bronchoscopy.
ThistlethwaiteP.A., MadaniM.M., KempA.D., HartleyM., AugerW.R., JamiesonS.W.. Venovenous extracorporeal life support after pulmonary endarterectomy: indications, techniques, and outcomes.Ann Thorac Surg.2006; 82(6): 2139–2145.
7.
OginoH., AndoM., MatsudaH.Japanese single-center experience of surgery for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.Ann Thorac Surg.2006; 82(2): 630–636.
8.
BermanM., TsuiS., VuylstekeA.Successful extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support after pulmonary thromboendarterectomy.Ann Thorac Surg.2008; 86(4): 1261–1267.
9.
CroninB., MausT., PretoriusV.Case 13–2014: Management of pulmonary hemorrhage after pulmonary endarterectomy with venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation without systemic anticoagulation.J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth.2014; 28(6): 1667–1676.
10.
YildizeliB., ArslanÖ, TaşS.. Management of massive pulmonary hemorrhage following pulmonary endarterectomy.Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.2014; 62(1): 89–91.
11.
KolníkováI., KunstýřJ., LindnerJ.Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation used in a massive lung bleeding following pulmonary endarterectomy.Prague Med Rep.2012; 113(4): 299–302.
12.
HongY., JoK.W., LyuJ.Use of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in central airway obstruction to facilitate interventions leading to definitive airway security.J Crit Care.2013; 28(5): 669–674.
