Plasma exchange on venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with bivalirudin anticoagulation

Abstract

A pediatric patient requiring venovenous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridge to lung transplantation developed heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Unfractionated heparin was discontinued, and a bivalirudin infusion was started. During the lung transplant evaluation, he was found to have allosensitization, requiring treatment with plasma exchange along with pulse methylprednisolone, rituximab, bortezomib, and pooled immunoglobulin infusion. We describe our experience with successful plasma exchange for allosensitization during bivalirudin anticoagulation on VV ECMO in a pediatric patient.