Liquid fluorocarbon lavage to clear thrombus from the distal airways after severe pulmonary hemorrhage requiring extracorporeal life support (ECLS)

Abstract

Massive pulmonary hemorrhage can pose a significant therapeutic challenge. Traditional methods of airway clearance using saline lavage and direct thrombus removal via bronchoscopy have limited ability to retrieve thrombi from deep airways. We report a patient on extracorporeal life support with massive pulmonary hemorrhage resulting in extensive alveolar and airway thrombus extending well beyond the proximal airways and the novel use of perfluorodecalin lavage to facilitate airway clearance and lung recruitment. Clinical trial registration: None.

Keywords

• Liquid fluorocarbon
• Pulmonary hemorrhage
• Extracorporeal life support
• Airway thrombus