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A 50-year-old man was admitted to the intensive care unit with respiratory failure and shock after suffering a massive overdose of amlodipine, lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide. Despite mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, calcium gluconate, hyperinsulinemia-euglycemia therapy, methylene blue and intravenous fat emulsion, the patient’s respiratory and hemodynamic status deteriorated. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was initiated to provide cardiopulmonary support in the setting of profound respiratory failure and refractory shock. The patient was placed on ECMO 19 hours after arrival to the hospital, after which vasopressor and ventilatory requirements decreased significantly. The patient was decannulated from ECMO after 8 days and was discharged home after a 56-day hospitalization. Early institution of ECMO should be considered for the management of respiratory failure and refractory shock in the setting of calcium channel blocker overdose when medical therapies are insufficient.

Extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO2R) may be indicated for refractory status asthmaticus when severe dynamic hyperinflation or life-threatening respiratory acidosis persists despite optimal medical and ventilator management. Most prior reports describe the application of ECCO2R to rapid-onset asthma exacerbation, requiring a short duration of extracorporeal support. We report two patients with refractory status asthmaticus managed with ECCO2R, emphasizing the use of modern extracorporeal technology, cannulation technique and management protocols, which may improve the risk-to-benefit profile of this strategy. This report highlights the challenges in managing patients with distinct asthma exacerbation phenotypes. The potential need for prolonged device support may alter provider expectations and offers a new perspective of the role of ECCO2R for status asthmaticus.