Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome due to Influenza A Treated with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Influenza is a viral respiratory infection that can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Due to its high susceptibility to antigenic variation, influenza A is responsible for causing pandemics. Fever, cough, dyspnea, and vomiting are common presenting symptoms. The spectrum of an influenza A virus infection ranges from a mild upper respiratory illness to life-threatening pneumonia. Hypoxia and chest radiographs consistent with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are seen in patients requiring intensive care. The reported incidence of patients with influenza A-associated ARDS requiring transition from conventional ventilation to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is variable. ECMO can be considered in patients with reversible respiratory failure, who are already on maximal conventional therapy and are not achieving lung-protective ventilation; wherein the benefits of ECMO are deemed to outweigh its risks. We describe the case of a 48-year-old female who developed ARDS secondary to influenza A requiring mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).