Fatal pulmonary hemorrhage due to severe mitral regurgitation during venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Abstract

Pulmonary hemorrhage (PH) during venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) has been primarily reported in pediatric patients. We report a case of fatal PH during VA-ECMO for cardiogenic shock after myocardial infarction (MI). PH, in this case, was secondary to a triad of aortic insufficiency, left ventricle distension, and severe laminar mitral regurgitation. This case scenario, previously unreported in adults, illustrates the need for the echocardiographic assessment of left-sided heart valves prior to VA-ECMO initiation after MI as well as management considerations for massive PH in this context.