A case of near fatal asthma: The role of ECMO as rescue therapy

We report a case of an adolescent with near fatal asthma (NFA). He presented with severe hypoxemia and life-threatening acidemia, who failed to respond to conventional therapy. His hospital course was complicated by barotrauma and hemodynamic instability. Early introduction of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) led to dramatic improvement in gas exchange and lung mechanics. This case illustrates the important role of ECMO as salvage therapy in NFA.