SEVERE ACUTE EXTRINSIC AIRWAY COMPRESSION BY MEDIASTINAL TUMOR SUCCESSFULLY MANAGED WITH EXTRACORPOREAL MEMBRANE-OXYGENATION

The successful use of femoral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxy genation to support an adult patient with extrinsic airway compression secondary to a large mediastinal tumor is presented. Extracorporeal m embrane oxygenation was continued until a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy allowed sufficient tumor shrinkage to permit dec annulation. This method should be considered and available before mani pulation of the airway in similar patients.