Venoarterial-extra corporeal membrane oxygenation-assisted parathyroidectomy for hypercalcemic crisis due to parathyroid carcinoma complicated by severe circulatory and respiratory failure: a case report

Abstract

Background: Hypercalcemia crisis is a rare but severe form of hypercalcemia complicated by multiple organ failure. Hypercalcemia crisis due to hyperparathyroidism is commonly caused by a parathyroid tumor, which often requires surgical resection. However, there are no clear recommendations on when the surgery should be performed. Case presentation: A 64-year-old female patient developed hyperparathyroidism due to a parathyroid tumor and hypercalcemic crisis, which was complicated by severe circulatory and respiratory failure refractory to medical therapy, and an emergent surgery was planned to resect the parathyroid tumor. To prevent intraoperative circulatory and respiratory collapse, venoarterial-extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) was introduced, resulting in a safe operation and anesthetic management. Conclusions: In patients with hypercalcemic crisis complicated by severe circulatory and respiratory failure, induction of prophylactic VA-ECMO was useful for safe anesthetic management. Surgical resection should be performed as soon as the diagnosis is made before VA-ECMO is required.