A case report of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation technique in the treatment of hematogenous disseminated tuberculosis complicated with cytomegalovirus pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) technology is mainly used to provide continuous extracorporeal respiration and circulation for patients with severe cardiopulmonary failure so as to maintain the life of patients. This study reported a 13-year-old boy with acute hematogenous disseminated tuberculosis complicated with cytomegalovirus pneumonia. In a short time, he was complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome and hemophagocytic syndrome. The oxygenation index decreased gradually, but the mechanical ventilation had no improvement in symptoms. After implementation of active anti-tuberculosis, anti-infection, anti-virus and ECMO therapies, the patient's condition improved rapidly, ECMO and ventilator were removed, and the patient was discharged with stable condition. The key to the successful rescue of this case is to take ECMO support therapy in time and then take lung protection ventilation strategy. As a life support therapy, ECMO can significantly improve the success rate of rescue and gain time for disease treatment and pulmonary function recovery.