Prolonged extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome in a child affected by rituximab-resistant autoimmune hemolytic anemia: a case report

Anti-CD20 Treatment of Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia Refractory to Corticosteroids and Azathioprine: A Pediatric Case Report and Mini Review

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a relatively uncommon hematological entity in children and sometimes is characterized by a severe course requiring more than one line course therapy. Treatment decisions depend on the severity and chronicity of the anemia and the characteristics of the autoantibodies. Immunosuppression with corticosteroids is the first-line treatment, especially in warm-reactive AIHA. Refractory cases are treated with immunosuppressive drugs, cytotoxic agents, androgens, or splenectomy, with various side effects and questionable efficacy. Another second-line option is rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, which has been used as an off-label agent with encouraging results from small limited studies or case reports. Herein, we add our experience on the safety and clinical efficacy of rituximab by presenting the case of a boy with warm-type AIHA resistant to corticosteroids and azathioprine, successfully treated with rituximab. We also offer a review of the relevant literature.

20-year experience of prolonged extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in critically ill children with cardiac or pulmonary failure

BACKGROUND

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a rescue therapy for life-threatening respiratory or circulatory failure. Although outcomes are favorable with short-term ECMO therapy, data on the outcomes of prolonged ECMO therapy in children are very limited. This study aimed to study morbidity and mortality associated with prolonged ECMO therapy (≥28 days) in children with refractory cardiac or pulmonary failure.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of all children≤18 years supported with ECMO for ≥28 days between January 1991 and September 2011 at the Arkansas Children's Hospital. The data collected in our study included patient demographic information; diagnosis; indication for ECMO; ECMO support details; medical and surgical history; laboratory, microbiologic, and radiographic data; information on organ dysfunction; complications; and patient outcomes. The outcome variables evaluated in this report included survival to ECMO decannulation, survival to hospital discharge, and current survival with emphasis on neurologic, renal, pulmonary, and other end organ function.

RESULTS

During the study period, 984 events in 951 patients were supported with ECMO with a 30-day survival of 666 events (68%). Only 22 ECMO runs were ≥28 days and were eligible for inclusion in this report. The longest ECMO run in our series was 1,206 hours (50 days). The average length of ECMO run in this cohort was 855±133 hours, with a mean intensive care unit length of stay of 56±27 days. Ten patients (45%) were successfully decannulated from ECMO. Six patients (27%) were alive 30 days after decannulation, and only 4 patients (19%) survived to hospital discharge. Of the 4 survivors, only 3 patients (14%) are living to date. Of the 3 living children, 2 have significant neurologic issues with brain atrophy and developmental delay, and 1 is awaiting renal transplant; all 3 survivors have chronic lung disease.

CONCLUSIONS

This case series highlights that the prolonged use of ECMO in children with refractory cardiac failure, respiratory failure, or both is associated with low survival. Furthermore, it suggests that the survivors of prolonged ECMO runs have significant long-term sequelae.