Successful extracorporeal lung assistance for overwhelming pneumonia in a patient with undiagnosed full blown aids--a controversial therapy in HIV-patients.
A case is described of overwhelming pneumonia in a patient with a history of coughing since three months. Because of hypoxia and hypercapnia that could not be managed by optimal mechanical ventilation, the patient required urgent extracorporeal lung assistance (ECLA, also known as ECMO). Afterwards the diagnosis of full blown AIDS was made. Appropriate antiviral, antibiotic and antimycotic therapy was successfully established. The patient was weaned from ECLA 4 days later, and discharged from hospital after two months.
Gutermann
H
H
Department of Cardiac Surgery, U.Z. K.U. Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
van Roy
B
B
Meersseman
W
W
Meyns
B
B
Herijgers
P
P
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D016638:Critical Illness; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011024:Pneumonia, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents