The use of extracorporeal life support in the treatment of influenza-associated myositis/rhabdomyolysis

Abstract

A 13-year-old girl presented to the emergency department with fatigue, headaches and muscle stiffness after returning from a family camping trip. Within 24 h, she was transferred to ICU with general oedema and low saturations, where she had a cardio-respiratory arrest and was placed on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The patient was successfully supported with ECMO for profound myocardial dysfunction and haemofiltration for rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure. Patients who present with profound myocardial dysfunction and myoglobinuria as a consequence of viral infection can be successfully supported with ECMO. © 2006 Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd.