Bail-out extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for hydroxychloroquine intoxication: a warning for COVID-19 health-care givers
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Updated: Nov 26, 2025

Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device
Published on: September 24, 2020
Wouter Holvoet1, Kaja van Soest2, Thomas Havenith2
1Department of Cardiology, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, Genk, Belgium.
Abstract:
This case report describes an intentional intoxication with 18 g of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) presenting with unconsciousness, ventricular dysrhythmias, cardiogenic shock and pulmonary oedema. Initial treatment consisted of sodium bicarbonate, lipid emulsion, diazepam and norepinephrine. Because of persistent cardiogenic shock veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) was successfully used as a bridge to recovery. This case underscores the possible side effects of HCQ and the importance of considering ECMO in cardiogenic shock caused by HCQ intoxication which may occur also in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) based on the currently frequent use of such a compound.
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