Management of malignancy-induced, life-threatening hypoxemic respiratory failure using a self-expanding Y stent

Abstract

We present the case of a young woman transferred to our center with acute hypoxic respiratory failure due to an obstructing subcarinal mass. We review the management and rationale of this respiratory failure at different stages of her hospital course. We describe the approach and rationale in both the intensive care unit as well as the bronchoscopy suite. Finally, we discuss how the use of a novel hybrid Y stent effectively palliated her symptoms.

Keywords

• Hybrid Y stent
• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
• Malignant central airway obstruction