IVOX IN ARDS - RESPIRATORY EFFECTS AND SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS

We describe the beneficial effects of an intravenous oxygenator (IVOX) on ventilatory pressure requirement, and also several severe complica tions related to its use in a young trauma victim developing severe ac ute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In this patient, adequate sy stemic oxygenation could not be maintained despite the use of fraction al inspired oxygen of 1.0, high level positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), and nitric oxide inhalation (30 ppm). The introduction of an intravenous oxygenator improved arterial oxygenation and CO2 eliminati on, allowing a decrease in minute ventilation and airway pressure. How ever, hepatic cytolysis, acute renal dysfunction and iliac vein thromb osis developed concomitantly, in spite of full anticoagulation with he parin. These complications resolved rapidly after removal of the IVOX device and the patient made a good recovery.