Early ECMO initiation in the emergency department for refractory hypoxemic respiratory failure caused by NaDCC intoxication.

ABSTRACT

We describe a case of acute respiratory failure caused by inhalation of gas formed from a reaction of intentional dissolution of sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) tablets in water. A patient had refractory respiratory failure despite the use of conventional therapy, including lung-protective mechanical ventilation. Early veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) support was initiated in the emergency department (ED). The patient was weaned from ECMO on hospital day 6 and discharged from the ICU on hospital day 27. Cases of severe inhalation injury with acute respiratory failure refractory to conventional treatments and mechanical ventilator support may benefit from VV-ECMO. Literature on early initiation of ED-VV-ECMO in NaDCC-induced refractory respiratory failure is rare. This case may be used as a guide in the management of subsequent cases as it shows that early initiation of ED-VV-ECMO was beneficial to the patient.