Abstract

The case of a patient with a transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) to whom extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) had been applied is reported. A 55-year-old male injured with liver laceration (grade 3) without chest injury after car accident. He received lots of blood transfusion and underwent damage control abdominal surgery. In the immediate postoperative period, he suffered from severe hypoxia and respiratory acidosis despite of vigorous management such as 100% oxygen with mechanical ventilation, high PEEP and muscle relaxant. Finally, ECMO was applied to the patients as a last resort. Aggressive treatment with ECMO improved the oxygenation and reduced the acidosis. Unfortunately, the patient died of liver failure and infection. TRALI is a part of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The use of ECMO for TRALI induced severe hypoxemia might be a useful option for providing time to allow the injured lung to recover.

• Keywords: AdultBlood transfusionExtracorporeal membrane oxygenationRespiratory distress syndromeTrauma