Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in fulminant myocarditis complicating systemic lupus erythematosus

A 24-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus developed cardiac failure and cardiogenic shock that failed to respond to both high-dose inotrope therapy and the insertion of an intra-aortic balloon pump. Circulatory support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation facilitated cardiac recovery, either spontaneously or assisted by steroid therapy.