ECMO for paediatric cardiac arrest caused by bronchial rupture and severe lung injury: a case report about life-threatening rescue at an adult ECMO centre

BACKGROUND: Bronchial rupture in children is a rare but dangerous complication after chest trauma and is associated with increased mortality. Veno-venous (V-V) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is reported as one of the treatments for this life-threatening complication. CASE PRESENTATION: A 4-year-old boy with bronchial rupture and traumatic wet lung complicated by cardiac arrest after chest trauma was admitted to an adult ECMO centre. He experienced two cardiac arrests, one before and one during the operation. The total duration of cardiac arrest was 30 min. V-V ECMO was initiated because of severe hypoxia and hypercapnia during the operation. ECMO was performed for 6 days, and mechanical ventilation lasted 11 days. On the 31st day after surgery, he had recovered completely and was discharged without neurological deficit. CONCLUSION: V-V ECMO can be considered for supportive care in children with severe acute respiratory failure after bronchial rupture. In an emergency, V-V ECMO can be carried out effectively in a qualified and experienced adult ECMO centre. However, the application of ECMO in children is different from that in adults and requires more refined management.