title: Emergency oxygenator change-out after massive fat embolism.
abstract: We present a case with an unusually high transmembrane pressure gradient over the oxygenator during initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). This necessitated an immediate emergency oxygenator exchange. A detailed inspection revealed a large lipid formation in the oxygenator. We hypothesize that this lipid was dislodged during the cannulation process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Transplantation & Mechanical Support, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Trust, Harefield, UK. olaf.maunz@me.com
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Maunz
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Penn
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Simon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004620:Embolism, Fat / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods*; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male