title: Use of extracorporeal membrane lung assist device (Novalung) in H1N1 patients.
abstract: We present three patients with severe respiratory failure secondary to H1N1 influenza type A pneumonitis, in whom hypercapnia and respiratory acidosis were not controlled by the conventional mechanical lung ventilation or high-frequency oscillatory ventilation. Use of a pumpless arteriovenous extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal device (Novalung™, Inspiration Healthcare Ltd, Leicester, UK) resulted in reduced carbon dioxide levels, improved pH, and a reduction in inspiratory pressures, allowing for a less-harmful ventilator strategy. These cases demonstrate that the Novalung is a safe and effective device to use in patients with H1N1 pneumonitis refractory to the conventional therapy and may be an alternative to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in selected cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care Medicine, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fröhlich
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Westbrook
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001187:Artificial Organs; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D006935:Hypercapnia / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications*; D008168:Lung; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*