title: Exchange transfusion to reverse severe pertussis-induced cardiogenic shock.
abstract: Severe pertussis has a high mortality risk, especially in those with high white blood cell counts and pulmonary hypertension. Exchange transfusion can reduce the leukocyte mass in blood. We report 3 young infants with severe pertussis and hyperleukocytosis who developed cardiogenic shock and pulmonary hypertension. Exchange transfusion was performed. The white blood cell count decreased accompanied by improvement in the cardiopulmonary condition and survival in the 3 infants. Exchange transfusion should be considered in patients with severe pertussis with hyperleukocytosis.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Padre Hurtado Hospital, Santiago, Chile. adonoso@hurtadohosp.cl
authors.forename: Alejandro F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Donoso
authors.forename: Pablo I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Cruces
authors.forename: Jorge F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Camacho
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: León
authors.forename: Jorge A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kong
mesh_terms: D001886:Bordetella pertussis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005078:Exchange Transfusion, Whole Blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000382:microbiology; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012770:Shock, Cardiogenic / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*