Cardiac arrest with anaphylactic shock: a successful resuscitation using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Anaphylactic shock is a serious allergic reaction, setting in rapidly, which may lead to life-threatening circulatory failure and necessitates aggressive support to ensure full recovery. We report the case of a 50-year-old man who developed cardiovascular collapse and cardiac arrest to iodine contrast media, occurring during coronary angiography. He was required temporary mechanical circulatory support with an venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation system by failure of conventional therapy and intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation therapy. He had full recovery of cardiac function and released from the hospital 21 days after admission without a neurologic deficit.