Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in critical airway interventional therapy: A review

ECMO-assisted bronchoscopic therapy for severe tracheal stenosis: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Severe tracheal stenosis is a life-threatening condition that often requires immediate intervention. Traditional surgical approaches may be challenging in critically ill patients, and bronchoscopic therapies have emerged as a less invasive alternative. However, maintaining adequate oxygenation and ventilation during these procedures can be challenging, especially in patients with near-complete airway obstruction. The manipulation of the already compromised airway during bronchoscopy can exacerbate respiratory insufficiency, leading to hypoxemia, hypercapnia, and even cardiac arrest. To address these challenges, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been increasingly utilized as a supportive measure during high-risk airway interventions. The use of ECMO in managing severe tracheal stenosis is a relatively recent development, with growing evidence supporting its role in facilitating complex airway interventions. By ensuring hemodynamic stability and adequate gas exchange, ECMO enables the safe and effective application of bronchoscopic techniques in critically ill patients who would otherwise be deemed unsuitable for such procedures. This approach can improve outcomes and expand treatment options for patients with severe tracheal stenosis.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 49-year-old woman, who underwent metal stent placement in her upper trachea 24 years ago due to tuberculous tracheal stenosis, was hospitalized due to worsening dyspnea. A thorough evaluation showed that the entire tracheal section was narrowed, with the smallest diameter measuring approximately 4-5 mm. Traditional respiratory support was inadequate for maintaining the patient's oxygen levels during bronchoscopy. We conducted bronchoscopic treatment with ECMO support, significantly alleviating the patient's dyspnea symptoms post-treatment. This is the first documented case of ECMO being utilized alongside bronchoscopy for patients with tracheal narrowing caused by tuberculosis.

CONCLUSION

The case study described a patient experiencing severe tracheal scar stenosis due to tuberculosis, who underwent successful treatment that included bronchoscopy supported by ECMO. Our effective handling of this case has provided crucial insights and strategies for managing similar situations in the future.

Local Anesthetic Infiltration, Awake Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, and Airway Management for Resection of a Giant Mediastinal Cyst: A Narrative Review and Case Report

Background: Mediastinal mass syndrome represents a major threat to respiratory and cardiovascular integrity, with difficult evidence-based risk stratification for interdisciplinary management. Methods: We conducted a narrative review concerning risk stratification and difficult airway management of patients presenting with a large mediastinal mass. This is supplemented by a case report illustrating our individual approach for a patient presenting with a subtotal tracheal stenosis due to a large cyst of the thyroid gland. Results: We identified numerous risk stratification grading systems and only a few case reports of regional anesthesia techniques for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients. Clinical Case: After consultation with his general physician because of exertional dyspnea and stridor, a 78-year-old patient with no history of heart failure was advised to present to a cardiology department under the suspicion of decompensated heart failure. Computed tomography imaging showed a large mediastinal mass that most likely originated from the left thyroid lobe, with subtotal obstruction of the trachea. Prior medical history included the implantation of a dual-chamber pacemaker because of a complete heart block in 2022, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus type II, preterminal chronic renal failure with normal diuresis, arterial hypertension, and low-grade aortic insufficiency. After referral to our hospital, an interdisciplinary consultation including experienced cardiac anesthesiologists, thoracic surgeons, general surgeons, and cardiac surgeons decided on completing the resection via median sternotomy after awake cannulation for veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation via the right internal jugular and the femoral vein under regional anesthesia. An intermediate cervical plexus block and a suprainguinal fascia iliaca compartment block were performed, followed by anesthesia induction with bronchoscopy-guided placement of the endotracheal tube over the stenosed part of the trachea. The resection was performed with minimal blood loss. After the resection, an exit blockade of the dual chamber pacemaker prompted emergency surgical revision. The veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was explanted after the operation in the operating room. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was released home in stable condition. Conclusions: Awake veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation placed under local anesthetic infiltration with regional anesthesia techniques is a feasible individualized approach for patients with high risk of airway collapse, especially if the mediastinal mass critically alters tracheal anatomy. Compressible cysts may represent a subgroup with easy passage of an endotracheal tube. Interdisciplinary collaboration during the planning stage is essential for maximum patient safety. Prospective data regarding risk stratification for veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannulation and effectiveness of regional anesthesia is needed.

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-assisted treatment of severe airway stenosis due to goiter: Two case reports

RATIONALE

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a critical care intervention that acts as a temporary substitute for the heart and lungs, facilitating adequate tissue perfusion and gas exchange. The 2 primary configurations, veno-arterial and veno-venous ECMO, are tailored to support either the heart and lungs or the lungs alone, respectively.

PATIENT CONCERNS

The case report details patients with tumor-induced airway stenosis who encountered limitations with standard treatments, which were either insufficient or carried the risk of severe complications such as hypoxia and asphyxia.

DIAGNOSES

Patients were diagnosed with severe airway stenosis caused by goiter, a condition that required innovative treatment approaches to prevent complications during the management process.

INTERVENTIONS

Veno-venous ECMO was implemented as a bridging therapy to provide vital respiratory support during the tumor resection procedure. This intervention was crucial in reducing the risks associated with airway edema or tumor rupture.

OUTCOMES

With the use of veno-venous ECMO, the patients successfully underwent tumor resection. They were subsequently weaned off the ECMO support, and after a course of treatment, they were discharged in good condition.

LESSONS

The case demonstrates the efficacy of veno-venous ECMO as a bridging therapy for managing severe airway stenosis caused by goiter. Its use facilitated the successful resection of tumors and led to positive patient outcomes, highlighting its potential as a valuable treatment option in similar scenarios.

Pre-emptive veno-arterial ECMO in a giant compressive goiter-related difficult airway: A case report

A 64-year-old patient required emergency surgery with high risk of intubation failure, without any possibility to perform neither a direct transtracheal access nor VV-ECMO canulation. The patient was managed thanks to a VA-ECMO despite the absence of cardiac function impairment. This report describes perioperative challenges and management of this unconventional case with favorable outcome.

Lung isolation-a personalized and clinically adapted approach to control bronchoscopy-associated acute massive airway hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

The current concept of bronchoscopy-associated massive airway hemorrhage is not accurate enough, and the amount of bleeding as the only evaluation criterion cannot comprehensively evaluate magnitude of the effects and the severity.

OBJECTIVE

To propose the concept of bronchoscopy-associated acute massive airway hemorrhage, analyze its impact on patients and highlight the treatment approach of acute massive airway hemorrhage without ECMO support.

DESIGNS

A retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Include all patients who received bronchoscopy intervention therapy at Interventional Pulmonology Center of Emergency General Hospital from 2004 to December 2021.

PATIENTS

223 patients met the inclusion criteria.

INTERVENTION

Patients were divided into two groups: acute massive airway hemorrhage group (n = 29) and non-acute massive airway hemorrhage group (n = 194).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Perioperative adverse events between two groups were the main outcome. Secondary outcome was the impact of lung isolation on patient in group Acute.

RESULTS

The incidence of acute massive airway hemorrhage was 0.11%, and the incidence of non-acute massive airway hemorrhage was 0.76% in this study. There were significant differences in the incidence of intraoperative hypoxemia, lowest SpO2, hemorrhagic shock, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, intraoperative mortality, and transfer to ICU between acute group and non-acute group (P<0.05, respectively). Lung isolation was used in 12 patients with acute massive airway hemorrhage, and only 2 patients died during the operation.

CONCLUSION

Bronchoscopy-associated acute massive airway hemorrhage had more serious impact on patients due to rapid bleeding, blurred vision of bronchoscopy, inability to stop bleeding quickly, blood filling alveoli, and serious impact on oxygenation of the lung lobes. Polyvinyl chloride single-lumen endotracheal intubation for lung isolation, with its characteristics of low difficulty, wide applicability and available in most hospitals, may reduce the intraoperative mortality of patients with bronchoscopy-associated acute massive airway hemorrhage.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on 13/03/2022.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR2200057470.