Pulmonary Hypertensive Crisis Requiring ECMO Associated with Re-warming from whole Body Hypothermia for Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy: Clinical Observations from a Case Series

Introduction

Hypothermia reduces the risk of death and/or disability in infants with moderate to severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) [1]. Due to its apparent safety/efficacy, this technique is gaining in popularity. While pulmonary hypertension (PHTN) is a known potential risk associated with hypothermia (20–30%) [2], the associated frequency may be higher than previously described.

Our center routinely treats patients with moderate to severe HIE with hypothermia according to a previously published protocol [3]. Since December 2005, approximately 30 infants have been treated at our center. This communication describes our clinical observation of a higher than expected occurrence of severe pulmonary hypertensive crisis requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) associated with re-warming from whole body hypothermia.

References

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Correspondence