Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in Jehovah’s Witness patients: Case report, literature review, and summary of recommendations

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is commonly associated with a high blood transfusion requirement. Jehovah’s Witness patients present a particular challenge. The impossibility of transfusing blood cells and starting anticoagulation treatment are common contraindications for this supportive...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Perfusion 2024-01, Vol.39 (1), p.60-65
Main Authors: Mera, Abrahán, Argudo, Eduard, Martínez-Martínez, María, Palmada, Clara, Bonilla, Camilo, Pacheco, Andrés, Chiscano, Luis, Marín, Gemma, Lozano, Beatriz, Gallart, Elisabet, Riera, Jordi
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants - therapeutic use
Blood Transfusion
Erythrocytes
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Humans
Hypoxemia
Influenza A
Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype
Jehovah's Witnesses
Literature reviews
Membranes
Oxygenation
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Summary:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is commonly associated with a high blood transfusion requirement. Jehovah’s Witness patients present a particular challenge. The impossibility of transfusing blood cells and starting anticoagulation treatment are common contraindications for this supportive measure. Here we report the case of a Jehovah’s Witness patient with refractory hypoxemia due to influenza A H1N1 pneumonia who required venovenous ECMO for 11 days. We describe the use of a bloodless approach to reduce the waste of blood, avoiding anticoagulation, and improving red blood cell production. We then summarize the current literature on the use of ECMO in Jehovah’s Witness patients and, finally, we propose some recommendations for their management.
ISSN:0267-6591
1477-111X
DOI:10.1177/02676591211047774