Biomaterial Database

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: an unusual cause of acute limb compartment syndrome. 2010

C J Wall, and J Santamaria

Intensive Care Unit, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. wallcj@gmail.com

Acute limb compartment syndrome is a surgical emergency associated with significant morbidity if not diagnosed promptly and treated effectively. We describe a case of severe and eventually lethal acute limb compartment syndrome, which complicated veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a previously well young woman who had suffered an unexplained cardiac arrest. We recommend that intensive care units develop clinical practice guidelines for the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy in order to minimise the risk of similar adverse events in the future.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007866	Leg	The inferior part of the lower extremity between the KNEE and the ANKLE.	Legs
D011247	Pregnancy	The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH.	Gestation,Pregnancies
D011248	Pregnancy Complications	Conditions or pathological processes associated with pregnancy. They can occur during or after pregnancy, and range from minor discomforts to serious diseases that require medical interventions. They include diseases in pregnant females, and pregnancies in females with diseases.	Adverse Birth Outcomes,Complications, Pregnancy,Adverse Birth Outcome,Birth Outcome, Adverse,Complication, Pregnancy,Outcome, Adverse Birth,Pregnancy Complication
D003161	Compartment Syndromes	Conditions in which increased pressure within a limited space compromises the BLOOD CIRCULATION and function of tissue within that space. Some of the causes of increased pressure are TRAUMA, tight dressings, HEMORRHAGE, and exercise. Sequelae include nerve compression (NERVE COMPRESSION SYNDROMES); PARALYSIS; and ISCHEMIC CONTRACTURE. FASCIOTOMY is often used to decompress increased pressure and eliminate pain associated with compartment syndromes.	Compartment Syndrome
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000208	Acute Disease	Disease having a short and relatively severe course.	Acute Diseases,Disease, Acute,Diseases, Acute
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D015199	Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation	Application of a life support system that circulates the blood through an oxygenating system, which may consist of a pump, a membrane oxygenator, and a heat exchanger. Examples of its use are to assist victims of SMOKE INHALATION INJURY; RESPIRATORY FAILURE; and CARDIAC FAILURE.	ECMO Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation,Oxygenation, Extracorporeal Membrane,Venoarterial ECMO,Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation,Venovenous ECMO,Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation,ECLS Treatment,ECMO Treatment,Extracorporeal Life Support,ECLS Treatments,ECMO Treatments,ECMO, Venoarterial,ECMO, Venovenous,Extracorporeal Life Supports,Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenations,Life Support, Extracorporeal,Membrane Oxygenation, Extracorporeal,Treatment, ECLS,Treatment, ECMO,Venoarterial ECMOs,Venovenous ECMOs