Single site venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as an alternative to invasive ventilation in post-pneumonectomy fistula with acute respiratory failure

Abstract

We report the use of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with a single dual lumen cannula in a 42-year-old patient suffering from a post-pneumonectomy fistula and severe respiratory insufficiency, avoiding the classical approach of invasive mechanical ventilation. We discussed the potential advantages of extracorporeal oxygenation as the main support in this particular clinical setting.