Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Perfluorocarbon in a Therapy Refractory Case of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Perfluorocarbons are oxygen-carrying, dense liquids initially intended for the use in partial or total liquid ventilation in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), but did not show beneficial effects in clinical studies. However, perfluorocarbons may be used for lung lavage in severe alveolar proteinosis. In ARDS, oxygenation may be so severely compromised that the use of non-oxygenated perfluorocarbons may not be possible. We report of a case of severe non-resolving ARDS treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to secure oxygenation, using perfluorocarbon in a single instillation to aid the clearance of debris and proteinacous edema.