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Updated: Sep 23, 2025

Measuring Local Anaphylaxis in Mice
Published on: October 14, 2014
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in refractory anaphylactic shock after bee stings: A case report
Huu-Y Le1, Nguyen Dinh Tien1, Pham Nguyen Son2
1Department of Respiratory Diseases, 108 Military Central Hospital, Vietnam.
Abstract:
An allergy to insect stings is one of the most frequent causes of anaphylactic reactions. Such reactions can be fatal, even on the first reaction, although it very rarely happens. The use of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) in refractory anaphylactic shock was previously described. We report a case of a 31-year-old female who presented with refractory anaphylactic shock after bee stings without the presence of cutaneous manifestations other than the rashes in her neck. The toxic component of bee venom and systemic allergic response plays a vital role in pathophysiology. She did not respond to conventional advanced life support, but following urgent VA ECMO, she survived neurologically intact. Despite an uncommon indication for anaphylaxis, ECMO support may be possible and effective in patients with refractory shock.
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