Successful Resuscitation Using Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation of 2 Patients With Severe Liver Rupture: A Case...

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a rescue treatment for respiratory or cardiac failure. Its use is limited in patients predisposed to bleeding due to heparin administration. We present 2 patients with deranged coagulation after liver rupture successfully treated by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. One patient with cardiac arrest developed a liver laceration during resuscitation. Liver suture was performed, but acute respiratory distress syndrome (PaO2/fraction of inspired oxygen, 50) necessitated venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The other patient suffered hemothorax, thoracic aorta dissection, and liver rupture. Liver segments VI and VII were resected. Endovascular aneurysm repair of aortic dissection and venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were performed. Both patients survived without neurological sequelae.