Scedosporium apiospermum infection: lethal complication after extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Abstract

In recent years, the development of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) technology has led to its extensive use in clinical practice. In particular, ECMO can play an important role in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The American Heart Association CPR guidelines recommend its use in patients with cardiac arrest due to reversible disorders, along with high-quality CPR. This is called extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR). However, it is important to be aware of the possibility of infection-related complications. Here, we report on a patient who suffered a cardiac arrest in hospital and was rescued with ECMO, but who subsequently developed an infection with Scedosporium apiospermum.