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Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in a Mouse
06:41

Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in a Mouse

Published on: October 24, 2018

Prolonged venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a child with leukemia and persistent bacteremia

Jacqueline Ong1, Nicola Ngiam, Winn M M Aye

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, National University Health System, Singapore.

Pediatric Critical Care Medicine : a Journal of the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies
|December 1, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Persistent bacteremia during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in a pediatric patient with leukemia did not preclude a positive outcome. The patient successfully recovered after 38 days of ECMO, with bacteremia resolving upon decannulation.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric critical care medicine
  • Infectious disease management
  • Extracorporeal life support

Background:

  • Nosocomial bacteremia during prolonged extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) poses a clinical challenge.
  • The association between persistent bacteremia and outcomes in ECMO patients is not well-defined.

Observation:

  • A 6-year-old boy with acute myeloid leukemia required venovenous ECMO for refractory hypoxia due to nosocomial pneumonia.
  • Stenotrophomonas maltophilia bacteremia persisted throughout the 38-day ECMO course despite combination antibiotic therapy and circuit exchange.

Findings:

  • The patient was successfully decannulated from ECMO after 38 days, at which point bacteremia resolved.
  • The patient achieved a complete recovery and remained disease-free at 6-month follow-up.

Implications:

  • Sustained bacteremia during ECMO should not automatically lead to withdrawal of support.
  • Aggressive source control and early consideration for ECMO weaning are crucial in managing persistent bacteremia.
Abstract

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