Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a pre-transplant rescue therapy in a patient with an oncohematological condition.
Rafael Fraire, Josefina Polizzi, Josefina Castro Méndez et al.
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Case in brief
A 2-year-old boy with severe bone marrow aplasia and septic shock was treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridge to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Due to significant thrombocytopenia, high-flow venoarterial support was initiated without anticoagulation. Following a multidisciplinary discussion, the patient was successfully weaned from ECMO, showed clinical improvement, and achieved effective hematopoietic recovery post-transplant.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
This case highlights the critical need for individualized assessment and ethical considerations when using ECMO in pediatric oncohematological patients.